recantv.1
/rᵻˈkant/, U.S. /rəˈkænt/, /riˈkænt/ I. To retract, renounce.† 2. transitive. To renounce or abjure (a course of life or conduct) as wrong or mistaken. Obsolete.† 3. transitive (reflexive). To make a retraction or disavowal (of something). Obsolete.
1.
a. transitive. To withdraw, retract, renounce, or disavow (a former statement, opinion, belief, action, etc.) as erroneous or heretical, esp. formally or publicly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > recant or retract
to call againc1390
repealc1390
revokec1390
replyc1425
renounce1446
renayc1450
unsay1483
manswear1502
to let loose1530
to call back1533
recant1534
retract1538
unswear1591
unwish1591
swallow1597
to take back1599
retractate1600
reclaim1615
unspeak1615
recede1655
renege1679
unnotify1738
unpronounce1745
withdraw1793
palinode1892
1534 [implied in: 1534 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) I. i. 211 The publict ceremonie of recanting..was to beare a faggot of drie sticks and burne it publictlie. (at recanting n.)].
1535 D. Lindsay Satyre 1136 I will recant nathing that I haue schawin: I haue said nathing bot the veritie.
1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII c. 1 Suche offendour..shalbe for the first time admitted to recante and renounce his said errours.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccv He was enforced to recant suche thynges as he had taught before.
1601 F. Godwin Catal. Bishops of Eng. 246 He was content to recant his opinions at Paules crosse.
1638 D. Featley Serm. in Stricturæ in Lyndomastygem ii. 219 in H. Lynde Case for Spectacles They recanted the Protestant Religion, and were reconciled to the Roman Church.
1719 D. Waterland Def. Queries v Can you deny it without recanting all that you had said before?
1737 S.-Carolina Gaz. 26 Mar. 2/1 They never swear to the Truth thereof, and they are always willing to make amends, in contradicting and recanting in one Paper, what they have said in another, as soon as they are convinced of their Error.
1799 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1956) I. 537 I recant—solemnly recant and disannul all praise, puff, and panegyric on you and your damn'd Pens.
1817 T. Moore Lalla Rookh 344 His criticisms were all..recanted instantly.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. xxxvii. 338 I was forced to recant in a measure my convictions as to the force of the opposing floes.
1910 Encycl. Brit. I. 153/2 Having recanted his heresies, he was readmitted after an excommunication of fifteen years.
1941 Speculum 16 176 In 1346 Nicolas d'Autrecourt..was compelled to burn his writings publicly, and to recant his radical theses of which more than one was tainted with atomism.
1986 Orlando (Florida) Sentinel 27 May a8/2 Pierce since has recanted this testimony.
2005 D. B. Hindmarsh Evangelical Conversion Narr. 28 He..wrote a new conversion narrative to explain his decision and to recant his earlier confession.
b. intransitive in same sense.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose [verb (intransitive)] > recant or retract
revoke1395
renayc1450
reclaima1475
faggot1538
recant1542
recry1568
to eat one's words1571
recall1585
unsay1585
retract1644
palinode1847
1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca at Berengarius Afterwarde he dyd recant.
1553 tr. S. Gardiner De Vera Obed. To Rdr. sig. A vj How these incarnate deuils could..say yea than, & so impudentli..recant and say nay now.
1633 P. Fletcher Poeticall Misc. 78 in Purple Island Here I recant, and of those words repent me.
1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. 39 Of a Congregation of Dutch Anabaptists..foure recanted at Paules Crosse.
1768 H. Walpole Hist. Doubts 88 Not one of the sufferers is pretended to have recanted.
1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. xiv. 306 To induce him to recant, they attempted to confute his principles.
1898 Argosy May 252 I should have recovered my reason, and been offered a new chance to recant and make amends by turning traitor.
1941 A. Koestler Darkness at Noon iii. iv. 220 There is a certain type of accused who confess under pressure, but recant at the public trial.
1964 M. L. King Why we can't Wait vi. 102 By the time we appeared in court..to answer the charges, all of Birmingham knew that we would never recant, even if we had to rot away in their jails.
1996 USA Today 15 Nov. c2/2 She withdrew Nov. 8 but recanted two days later.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > desert/renounce a cause, principle, or person
withsayc960
forsakec1175
renayc1300
waive1303
to waive from1303
allayc1330
to fall from ——c1350
relinquish1454
forlesec1460
to give over1477
missake1481
return1483
guerpe1484
abrenounce1537
to turn the back uponc1540
renege1548
forspeak1565
recant1567
reject1574
abnegate1616
abrenunciate1618
derelinque1623
ejurate1623
to give one the backa1624
derelinquisha1631
ejure1642
delinquish1645
desert1654
deviate1757
to give up1970
society > morality > virtue > righteousness or rectitude > reform, amendment, or correction > reform, amend, or correct [verb (transitive)] > renounce as wrong
recant1567
1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello Certaine Tragicall Disc. f. 49 v Here Camylla, began to recante her auncient creweltye.
1576 G. Whetstone Ortchard of Repentance 99 in Rocke of Regard Before the world, I here recant my life, I do renounce, both lingring loue and lust.
1605 Famous Hist. Capt. Stukeley sig. G4v Let it suffice If with his tongue he do recant his fault.
1701 C. Wooley Two Years Jrnl. N.-Y. 81 I cannot say I observed any swearing or quarrelling, but what was easily reconciled and recanted by a mild rebuke.
1774 J. Butterworth Repentance & Baptism Considered 31 They..recanted their former conduct, and were sorry they had been concerned in the crucifixion of our Lord.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > desert or abandon [verb (reflexive)] > make retraction
recant1577
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus iii. xvii, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 456 The aforesayd Peter..nowe accursed the councell of Chalcedon and anone recanted him of his folly approuing in all poynts the same councell.
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. D Recant thee Lacie thou art put in trust.
1646 J. Gaule Select Cases Conscience 199 I will conceive, withall, that witches have as great cause as may be to recant them of their bargaine.
1673 R. Baxter Christian Directory i. iv. 250 The ignorant that this year are confident to a contempt and censoriousness of all that differ from them, perhaps the next year do change their judgements, and recant themselves.
4.
a. transitive. To withdraw or retract (a promise, vow, undertaking, etc.); to go back on (one's word). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)] > withdraw from an engagement or promise
runOE
withdraw1340
waivec1386
to pass from (also of, fro)c1449
recoil1481
to go back1530
recant1585
resile1641
shirk1778
renegea1849
slink1853
welsh1870
to throw over1891
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > fail to observe [verb (transitive)]
breakOE
to-breaka1067
false1303
forleta1325
loosec1400
to fall from ——a1425
renouncec1450
violate?a1475
enfrain1477
failc1500
falsify1532
transverse1532
infringe1533
crack1576
recess1581
recant1585
digress1592
strain1592
burst1600
equivocate1629
falsy1629
forfeit1654
to break through1712
infract1798
waive1833
welsh1925
1585 T. Bilson True Difference Christian Subiection i. 25 If you tell vs, that your Catholike seruice may be suffered in this Realme, notwithstanding both Gods and mans lawes banish hereticall assemblies, then you recant the permission of two contrarie faithes in one Realme.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 388 He shall doe this, or else I doe recant the pardon that I late pronounced heere. View more context for this quotation
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne v. lxix. 88 The captaine sage the damsell faire assured, His word was past, and should not be recanted.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 96 Ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void. View more context for this quotation
?1733 Merry Musician IV. 91 Let this convince my Charmer now..that I don't recant my vow.
1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Unswearing, the act of recanting what has been sworn.
1801 C. B. Brown Jane Talbot viii. 72 That the absence of a few days and the company of another woman, should be thought to..make me secretly recant those vows which I offered to you, is an imputation on my common sense.
1855 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity IV. ix. ii. 52 Recanting all his promises, and struggling out of his vows.
1905 Racine (Wisconsin) Daily Jrnl. 7 Oct. 6/2 Forcing him to recant a promise..that in no event would he..accept a nomination again.
1998 J. Tusiani tr. L. Pulci Morgante xi. 200 Your sentence must be carried out, My Lord, And see that you do not recant your word.
b. intransitive. To go back on an agreement; to renege. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > fail to observe [verb (intransitive)]
to make (hold, pay, keep, yield or break) a vowc1290
to break dayc1300
faithc1410
swerve1527
to break touch1594
jeofail1599
recant1599
recede1648
discede1650
renege1651
shab1699
shaffle1781
weasel1956
1599 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. King Edward IV sig. N2v I will that you my Lord, Together with the Duke of Burgundie, Do ere tomorrow noone bring all your force, And ioyne with ours, or else we doe recant.
a1643 W. Cartwright Ordinary (1651) i. ii. 4 Pot. Thou'lt be as good unto me as thy word? Hear. Nay, hang me if I er'e recant.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 316 We agreed for threescore and odd pistols, which I laid down; but he recanting and demanding more, I withdrew my money.
1755 N. Magens Ess. Insurances I. 403 Should the Giver of the Premium not approve of the Contractor, he may very justly recant.
1853 Littell's Living Age 21 May 479 Ab, you have promised, and you will not recant?
1980 S. Hazzard Transit of Venus ii. xix. 152 As Paul had pledged eminence to Tertia, so he had promised mastery to Caro; and, now that he finally exerted it, must not recant.
5. transitive. To renounce, give up (an intention or purpose).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > reversal of or forsaking one's will or purpose > reverse or abandon one's purpose or intention [verb (transitive)]
to fall from ——a1425
waivec1450
forthink1483
to leave up1523
unresolve1608
startle1612
betray1614
recant1648
recede1650
to turn round1808
to unmake one's mind1848
unwill1871
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche vii. ccxvi. 112 This Son of Avarice..Was by thy Spouse enforced to recant His dire intentions.
1652 J. Wright tr. J.-P. Camus Nature's Paradox x. 232 Lest..compassion..should have made mee..recant the Design which I had resolved to execute upon him.
1814 Word of Honor ii. i, in New Brit. Theatre I. 361 Edw. Then Thomas lied? Car. But I recant my purpose.
1963 Montana Standard-Post 4 Jan. 4/3 Kennedy should fight with every means at his command... His only stipulation should be that the Republicans recant their sinful intention to dump..the Ev & Charlie show.
2004 G. D. Phillips Godfather v. 126 Frankie Pantangeli has recanted his intention to testify against him.
II. To repeat or rehearse.
6. transitive. To relate, rehearse; = recount v.1 1. Formerly also intransitive: †to tell of (obsolete). rare before 20th cent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > narration > narrate, relate, or tell [verb (transitive)]
singc900
reckonOE
readOE
tellOE
showc1175
betellc1275
i-tellec1275
rehearsec1300
record1340
accounta1387
to chase forthc1386
retretec1400
reporta1402
count?a1425
recite1448
touch?a1450
repeat1451
deliverc1454
explikec1454
renderc1460
recount1477
to show forth1498
relate1530
to set forth1530
rechec1540
reaccount1561
recitate1568
history1600
recant1603
to run througha1616
enarrate1750
narrate1754
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 137 If one that sits by him..recant of some processe of law or action commenced.
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words at Ridetto Said, repeated, or recanted againe.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Yorks. 208 He was content..to recant. Not as some have took the word, to say over the same again..but he unsaid..what he had said before.
1884 J. McIntyre Musings 11 But the chief's son to England went And Campbell to him did lament, And all the tale he did recant About cruel butcheries of Brant.
1911 A. Warrack Scots Dial. Dict. 715/2 Recant, to recite or tell over again.
1985 News (Frederick, Maryland) 27 Apr. a7 When asked to recant the tale of his circumnavigation of the earth, he balks and hands the reporter a book about his flight.
2003 C. Madonia Thunder Rider's Burden iii. 21 I told her of the events of the past few hours. As I recanted the tale, her eyes never left mine.
7. transitive. To sing again; to repeat in singing; = rechant v. Cf. recantation n. 2. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > sing [verb (transitive)] > sing again
recant1611
resing1615
1611 J. Florio Queen Anna's New World of Words at Ricantare To recant or sing againe.
1656 T. Blount Glossographia Recant, to sing after another.
1657 Holland's Morals (rev. ed.) 704 They were wont ever after in their wedding songs to recant [1603 rechant] and resound this name, Talasius.
1727 W. Somervile Occas. Poems 188 Old Homer shall recant his Lays, For us new Trophies raise, Sing our victorious Arms, and justify our Fame.
2004 Guardian (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island) (Nexis) 13 Nov. c1 400 veterans, their family and friends sing to the wartime tunes recanted in the We'll Meet Again musical special Remembrance week event.
Derivatives
reˈcanted adj. (of a statement, doctrine, etc.) that has been retracted, renounced, or disavowed; (also of a person) that has recanted.
ΚΠ
1558 Speciall Grace after Banket at Yorke sig. bvii This their wicked, inconstant & recanted doctrine.
1563 in C. Innes Reg. S. Marie de Neubotle (1849) 334 To..sex agit decraipit and recantit monkis, xijxx li.
1671 J. Glanvill Further Discov. Stubbe 8 Some, you phancy, may think, that you writ against the Errors of that recanted Book.
1716 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ II. 373 Of the same 12th Century were Folmar, Abaillard, Arnaldus Brixiensis..all whose unaccentuated and recanted Arianism perish'd together.
1849 H. W. Herbert Dermot O'Brien ii. 22 The arch-mutineer, recanted Papist rebel, and relapsed malignant, Hugh O'Neil.
1952 H. Hoover Memoirs v. 24 This fraud on the American people was also subsequently exposed in the memoirs of a recanted Communist.
2007 San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Tribune (Nexis) 5 July Carter was imprisoned for almost 20 years..before a recanted testimony freed him.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† recantv.2
Obsolete. rare.
intransitive. To cant or tilt back.
ΚΠ
1793 Trans. Soc. Arts 11 199 Wheel Cranes, by their recanting back, when overpowered by the weight.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
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