recantation
UK[ˌriːkænˈteɪʃən]US[ˌriːkænˈteɪʃən]
n
a statement that one no longer holds a particular opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical.
n
the act of making such a statement; a public withdrawal or renunciation.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
cant
ation
re
again/back
cant
sing/speak
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'recantation' has its roots in the latin verb recantare, meaning "to revoke" or "to sing back." this verb itself is a compound of the prefix re- ("back") and cantare ("to sing"). in ecclesiastical latin, it took on the specific sense of withdrawing a heretical statement, likely by a formal, chant-like declaration. entering english in the mid-16th century, it retained this core meaning of a formal retraction, where one figuratively "sings back" or "takes back" previously uttered words, evolving into its modern sense of a public renunciation of belief.
Analysis
Structure: re (again/back) + cant (sing/speak) + ation (noun suffix)
- re: a latin prefix meaning "again" or "back."
- cant: from latin cantare, meaning "to sing" or "to chant."
- ation: a latin-derived noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process.
Examples
his recantation of the controversial theory was published in all the major journals.
the court demanded a full public recantation of his earlier testimony.
her recantation came too late to repair the damage caused by her initial accusations.