English Explanatory Dictionary

recant

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To withdraw or repudiate a statement or opinion formerly expressed, especially formally and publicly.
verb
  1. To give a new cant (slant, angle) to something, in particular railway track on a curve.

Pronunciation

/ɹəˈkænt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-recant.wav

Word forms

recant recants recanting recanted

Etymology

First attested in 1535, from Latin recantare (“to sing back, reecho, sing again, repeat in singing, recant, recall, revoke, charm back or away”), from re- (“back”) + canto (“to chant, to sing”), frequentative of cano.

Synonyms

abjure backpedal disavow disown eat one's words recall recant retract revoke swallow take back unsay unspeak walk back withcall withdraw

Antonyms

affirm aver double down maintain stand firm stand one's ground uphold

Related words

recantation recanter contradict recall revoke

Derived words

recantable recantingly unrecanted
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