# recant

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹəˈkænt/ · frequency rank #58,307

## Definitions
1. To withdraw or repudiate a statement or opinion formerly expressed, especially formally and publicly.

## 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.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/recant