recitation
UK[ˌres.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən]US[ˌres.əˈteɪ.ʃən]
n
the act of saying a piece of writing aloud from memory
n
a detailed description of something or a list of things
Morpheme Breakdown
re
cit
ation
re
again
cit
call, set in motion
ation
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'recitation' traces its lineage to the latin verb 'recitare', meaning 'to read aloud, repeat from memory'. this verb itself is a compound of the prefix 're-', suggesting repetition or intensity, and 'citare', meaning 'to summon, call, or set in motion'. the root 'citare' is a frequentative form of 'ciere', meaning 'to move, stir, or call', which is derived from the proto-indo-european root keie-, 'to set in motion'. thus, the literal sense of 'calling forth again' evolved into the modern practice of formally repeating memorized text aloud, and by extension, to the detailed rehearsal or listing of facts.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + cit (call, set in motion) + ation (noun suffix)
re- (latin prefix, meaning 'again'); cit (from latin 'citare', meaning 'to call, to set in motion'); -ation (latin-derived noun suffix, indicating an action or process).
Examples
she won the poetry competition with her flawless recitation of a sonnet.
the professor began the lecture with a brief recitation of the key events leading to the war.
his recitation of the safety procedures was thorough but monotonous.