recap
UK[ˈriːkæp]US[ˈriːkæp]
v
To state again or summarize the main points of something.
n
A summary or restatement of the main points.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
cap
re
again
cap
take
Etymology
The word "recap" is a modern abbreviation of "recapitulate." Its journey begins with the Latin components: the prefix re- ("again") and the verb capere ("to take"). These combined to form the Late Latin recapitulare, meaning "to go through again by heads or chapters," literally "to take up again from the beginning." This concept evolved into the English "recapitulate," a formal term for summarizing. In the mid-20th century, "recap" emerged as a clipped form, a common linguistic process for creating convenient, informal variants. Thus, the literal ancient idea of "taking again" logically evolved into the modern abstract meaning of summarizing or reviewing key points.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + cap (take)
- re: A Latin prefix meaning "again" or "back." It functions as an intensifier indicating repetition.
- cap: A morpheme derived from the Latin verb capere, meaning "to take" or "to seize." In this word, it functions as the root conveying the core action of taking or capturing information.
Examples
Let me quickly recap what we decided in the last meeting.
The news program began with a recap of the day's major events.
Before the final exam, the professor will recap the entire semester's material.