recall
UK[rɪˈkɔːl]US[rɪˈkɔːl]
v
to bring the memory of a past event into your mind
v
to officially order the return of a person or product, often because of a problem or defect
n
the ability to remember something you have learned or experienced
n
an official order for a person or product to return, often because of a problem
Morpheme Breakdown
re
call
re
again
call
to shout, to name
Etymology
The word 'recall' is a compound formed from the Latin prefix 're-' and the Old English verb 'call'. The prefix 're-', meaning 'back' or 'again', was a productive element in Latin and was widely adopted into English. The verb 'call' originates from Old Norse 'kalla', meaning 'to cry loudly, to name', which itself has Proto-Germanic roots. When combined, the literal sense is 'to call back'. This evolved from the physical act of summoning someone back to the more abstract mental act of summoning a memory back to mind. The modern meanings related to memory and official product returns are logical extensions of this core idea of bringing something back.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + call (to shout, to name)
re- (Latin prefix meaning 'again' or 'back'), call (from Old English 'ceallian', meaning 'to shout, cry out, name')
Examples
i cannot recall where i left my keys.
the company had to recall thousands of cars due to a safety issue.
his recall of historical dates was impressive.