repeatn.
/rᵻˈpiːt/, U.S. /rəˈpit/, /riˈpit/ 1. Music.
a. A passage repeated or intended to be repeated; the repetition of a passage. Also figurative.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > repeat or refrain
repeat?c1450
turning1579
reprise1699
replica1724
ripresa1724
ripresa1830
pattern1920
?c1450 in G. J. Aungier Hist. & Antiq. Syon Monastery (1840) 325 And for they may not enclyne withe the quyer whyle they synge ‘Gloria Patri’ of the thryd response, they schal enclyne before, whyle the quyer syngethe the repete.
1636 C. Butler Princ. Musik i. i. 8 Dhe Madrigal is..soomtim' in..Triple Proportion: with qik and sweet' Report's, and Repeats.
1663 J. Spencer Disc. Prodigies (1665) 3 Similar figures or dispositions..serve as a kind of grateful repeats in the harmony of the world.
1752 C. Avison Ess. Musical Expression 117 When there are no intermediate notes to introduce the Repeat.
1791 H. B. Dudley Woodman iii. xvi. 83 (stage direct.) Medley puts himself at their head, and they march off to the repeat of the Chorus.
1835 J. D. Carrick Laird of Logan 56 She began her complaint against what she called ‘these repeats’, or singing one line more than once over.
1874 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David IV. Ps. xcviii. 5 All repetitions are not vain repetitions, in sacred song there should be graceful repeats.
1884 G. Moore Mummer's Wife (1887) 160 Then there is a repeat, in which the tenors and basses are singing against the women's voices.
1907 A. Elson Music Club Programs iv. 51 Scarlatti introduced the da capo form of aria, in which the repeat of the first part after the second gives the number a pleasing unity.
1971 G. Gould Let. 21 Dec. (1992) 170 Depending on whatever policy we adopt in respect to double-bar repeats..it might be possible to wedge all the sonatas on to ten discs.
1997 N. Simeone et al. Janáček's Wks. 81 Janáček's revisions were considerable, shortening the work from 164 bars (including a repeat) to 142 bars (including repeats).
b. A mark, or either of a pair of marks, indicating that a passage is to be repeated.In musical notation, the passage of notes to be repeated are now usually bounded by the symbols ? and ?.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > [noun] > repeat-sign
repeat1636
dal segno1967
1636 C. Butler Princ. Musik i. ii. 38 Dhis Repet..is used also for Not's alon', wher' dher is no' Ditti.
1667 C. Simpson Compend. Pract. Musick 24 This Mark signifies a Repetition from that place only where it is set, and is called a Repeat.
1706 A. Bedford Temple Musick ix. 194 It is..expressed in our..Anthems by a Mark which we call a Repeat.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) Repeat, in Musick, a Character shewing that what was last play'd or sung, must be repeated, or gone over again.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) The small Repeat is where only some of the last Measures of a Strain are to be repeated.
1818 T. Busby Gram. Music 159 Other abbreviations are also employed under the form of repeats.
1884 Musical Herald Apr. 90/2 In a brace of music with an enlarged bar in the middle, with a repeat at the left of it and a repeat at the close, would you play to the first repeat, then play the entire brace through and repeat it?
1906 J. M. McLaughlin Rudim. Music 13 Dots at the end of a passage or before a bar or double bar indicate that the music which precedes is to be repeated. They are called repetition dots or the repeat.
1996 T. L. Riis Music & Scripts of In Dahomey 183 When a Vamp or Till Ready indication appears above an introductory passage that lacks repeat signs, the repeats have been added.
2. † a. A refrain in poetry. Obsolete. rare.
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society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > part of poem > [noun] > refrain
refraid?a1439
repeat?1497
refrain1530
rearfreight?1567
tag1717
rondeau1787
ephymnium1910
?1497 J. Alcock Serm. Luc .viij. (de Worde) sig. dviiv The repete of euery balett was this, Englonde may wayle yt euer Galand came here.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xix. 188 We may terme him the Loue-burden, following the originall, or if it please you, the long repeate.
b. A repeated word or phrase. Now rare.
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society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > repetition > repeated element
repeat1551
reprise1950
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Gj The double repete..is twise rehersed.
1557 Bible (Whittingham) Matt. vi. 7 (margin) He commandeth vs to beware muche babling and superfluous repetes.
1905 Jrnl. Amer. Folk-lore 18 160 Geography-Rhymes... The various bodies of water were served up in groups of threes, with a repeat:—Atlantic Ocean, Pacific ocean, Indian Ocean.
3. † c. A recital, account. Obsolete. rare.
a. Repetition, esp. of something said or done. Now rare.
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the mind > language > speech > repetition > [noun]
replication?c1400
repetition?a1425
repeatingc1443
renovelling1483
regressiona1500
iteration1530
repeat1556
ingemination1576
iteratinga1593
iterancea1616
redoublinga1665
restatement1790
troll1790
repeatal1822
catching up1847
rewording1849
re-enunciation1855
iterancy1889
the world > action or operation > repeating > [noun]
reiteration?a1425
iteration1477
itering1530
repetition?1550
iteratinga1593
repeat1667
repeating1671
ringing of changes1734
dittoism1884
ofteninga1889
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie lxi. 10 First thants tale told the spiders he did repeate... Then in repeate, the spiders tale he did treate.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vi. 318 One stroke they aim'd That might determine, and not need repeate . View more context for this quotation
1992 Cruise Trav. Apr. 13/2 There were more than 2,000 of them [sc. restaurants] at last count, enough to keep you dining around without repeat for about six years.
b. An act of repeating something in speech or action; a repetition or further occurrence of an action, process, or event.With quot. 1596 cf. sense 3c.
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the world > action or operation > repeating > [noun] > instance of
reviea1592
reprise1607
tautology1639
repeat1855
retake1882
ditto1887
redo1949
riff1952
1596 H. Clapham Briefe of Bible i. xxiii. 62 The Booke of Deuteronomie, (or second rehersall of the Law) maketh a Repeat of the things fallen out since the Peoples comming out of Ægypt: containing summarilie what before was delivered in Exodus, Leuiticus, Numbers.
1855 E. J. Hopkins Organ 209 A ‘return’ or ‘repeat’ is caused in the series of Pedal sounds.
1867 R. Wilson Sabbath on Rock ii. 41 The Jewish Sabbath was a repeat of God's seventh day of rest.
1869 Daily News 20 Aug. 5/2 A message may be hereafter sent from London to Bombay almost without a repeat.
1903 D. Thomson Weavers' Craft xv. 168 Our forefathers..tried to avert a repeat of the calamity by proclaiming fast days, and pretending to repent of their imputed sins.
1969 Pop. Sci. July 169/2 The rest..will be a repeat of Apollo 8 and 10, up to the recovery of the astronauts and the Command Module.
2007 N.Y. Times 23 Sept. (T: Style Mag.) 42/2 (advt.) Silversea's big news for 2008 is its world cruise, a repeat of last year's highly successful inaugural round-the-world.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > narration > [noun] > a narrative or account
talec1200
historyc1230
sawc1320
tellinga1325
treatisec1374
chroniclec1380
process?1387
legendc1390
prosec1390
pistlec1395
treatc1400
relationc1425
rehearsal?a1439
report?a1439
narrationc1449
recorda1450
count1477
redec1480
story1489
recount1490
deductiona1532
repetition1533
narrative1539
discourse1546
account1561
recital1561
enarrative1575
legendary1577
enarration1592
recite1594
repeat1609
texture1611
recitation1614
rendera1616
prospect1625
recitement1646
tell1743
diegesis1829
récit1915
narrative line1953
1609 G. Markham Famous Whore sig. D3v Nor will I heere report my foule diseases, For such repeates all modest eares displeases.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xvi. 57 And so of this repeate enough: Take thou my fame-blaz'd armes [etc.].
d. A repetition of a musical piece or performance, or of part of a performance; an encore. In later use (also of a narration, dance show, film screening, etc.): a repeat performance, a further recital.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > [noun] > repetition
repetition1574
repeat1832
1832 C. Edwards Feathers from my Own Wings 107 There was about to be a repeat of ‘He roamed along’.
1853 E. S. Sheppard Charles Auchester II. 208 Then burst out a tremendous call for a repeat.
1865 Morning Star 8 Sept. As to the execution of the oratorio..there was one good feature in it—there were no repeats.
1874 B. Hardacre Misc. Prose & Verse 138 This time the ‘Hardy Norseman’ is sung, and..the listeners..look down on us from a great height, cheer, and make strong calls for a repeat.
1907 W. De Morgan Alice-for-Short vi. 59 It had to be told over and over again, none of the six new-comers arriving exactly on the beginning of a repeat.
1920 M. H. Brazier Stage & Screen vi. 117 Another picture to stand out, and good for a repeat anywhere, is ‘Lombardy Ltd.’
1933 R. D. Saunders Music & Dance in Calif. 143/2 At a time when Crosby is doing two repeats on every show, and the major studios are cutting their production.
1989 P. Koner Solitary Song 43 Our sponsor Mr. Morrison felt that the first performance warranted a repeat, so another was planned at the same theater for March 16.
e. Broadcasting. A rebroadcast of a television or radio programme.
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society > communication > broadcasting > a broadcast programme or item > [noun] > types of
news bulletin1857
news summary1875
police message1886
newsflash1904
headline1908
play-by-play1909
feature1913
spot ad1916
magazine1921
news1923
time signal1923
outside broadcast1924
radiocast1924
amateur hour1925
bulletin1925
serial1926
commentary1927
rebroadcast1927
school broadcast1927
feature programme1928
trailer1928
hour1930
schools broadcast1930
show1930
spot advertisement1930
spot announcement1930
sustaining1931
flash1934
newscast1934
commercial1935
clambake1937
remote1937
repeat1937
snap1937
soap opera1939
sportcast1939
spot commercial1939
daytimer1940
magazine programme1941
season1942
soap1943
soaper1946
parade1947
public service announcement1948
simulcasting1949
breakfast-time television1952
call-in1952
talkathon1952
game show1953
kidvid1955
roundup1958
telenovela1961
opt-out1962
miniseries1963
simulcast1964
soapie1964
party political1966
novela1968
phone-in1968
sudser1968
schools programme1971
talk-in1971
God slot1972
roadshow1973
trail1973
drama-doc1977
informercial1980
infotainment1980
infomercial1981
kideo1983
talk-back1984
indie1988
omnibus1988
teleserye2000
kidult-
1937 L. Lewis Radio Dict. in Printers' Ink Monthly May 40/3 Repeat, a term denoting the second broadcast of a regular studio program broadcast for those stations not served by the original broadcast due to time differences.
1941 B.B.C. Gloss. Broadcasting Terms 28 Repeat, repetition (as distinct from reproduction) of a programme which has been broadcast, either live or recorded, on one or more previous occasions.
1965 Spectator 5 Mar. 289/2 In the current fortnight no fewer than twenty-seven of the BBC's programmes are ‘repeats’.
1973 Listener 6 Dec. 798/2 A true interstice piece was the repeat of E. M. Forster's talk on Crabbe, in the interval of Death in Venice.
2000 I. Edward-Jones My Canapé Hell (2001) ix. 239 They're running repeats of Birds of a Feather on the telly.
4.
a. A decorative pattern which is repeated uniformly over a surface.
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the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > [noun] > pattern
figure1609
repeat pattern1851
repeat1855
rosette1875
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [noun] > types of pattern or design generally
Morisk1341
Moresque1458
arabesque1656
Morisco1728
all-over1808
Moresco1823
shawl-pattern1838
repeat pattern1851
repeat1855
unit1855
styling1867
counterchange1888
oriental1897
mosaicking1923
scenic1956
1855 R. N. Wornum Anal. Ornament 19 You have but to design your repeat or unit of repetition; the rest is mere mechanical expansion.
1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 131/1 If twelve strips were woven in the breadth of the chenille web, they give the material necessary for twelve repeats.
1899 J. W. Mackail Life W. Morris I. 282 The problem was that..of so arranging the ‘repeat’ that the pattern should flow continuously over the whole space to be filled, and not fall asunder into patches.
1915 Bull. Metrop. Mus. Art 10 128/1 This little motif..often grows into a decorative all-over design, when used as a repeat.
1974 Encycl. Brit. Micropædia IX. 867/1 The standard field pattern for the large rugs is a repeat in rows of a particoloured, multifoiled lozenge.
2007 Cabinet Maker (Nexis) Nov. 20 Large-scale motifs bound to textiles in today's trendy products are also showing up on walls. Reach out your arms and don't be surprised to find motifs with a repeat the size of your wingspan.
b. A repetition in another place of a visible feature; a duplicate or copy of something.
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the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > multiplication by two > [noun] > a doubling addition or duplicate
reduplicate1816
repeat1841
duplicative1884
1841 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone vii. 120 A doubtful repeat in the strata at one point of junction.
1901 Brothers Dalziel v. 218 One of the last pictures we purchased from Pinwell was ‘The Old Clock’, it being a repeat of one of the rustic drawings he made for us.
1914 F. Bond Ded. & Patron Saints Eng. Churches iv. 41 The plan of their church at Little Maplestead, Essex, with circular nave surrounded by an aisle, is a repeat of that of the mother church in Jerusalem.
2000 B. E. Lacey From Sacred to Secular (2007) ii. 60/2 The last illustration is a repeat of the one on the title page, and can be used to support different readings.
c. Genetics and Molecular Biology. Originally: a region of a chromosome which has been duplicated during recombination. In later use (more widely): any repeated sequence of amino acid residues in a polypeptide, or nucleotides in a nucleic acid (cf. repetitive DNA n. at repetitive adj. and n. Compounds).
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1935 Jrnl. Heredity 26 64/2 Most of the larger capsules..are symmetrical reversed repeats... The present demonstration that certain sections of normal chromosomes have actually been built up in blocks through such 'repeats' goes far toward explaining species initiation.
1950 Amer. Naturalist 84 390 The semi-allelic genes are often considered to have their chromosomal basis in ‘repeats’.
1978 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75 113/2 The longest duplication within β-galactosidase is the five residue repeat Thr-Pro-His-Pro-Ala occurring at residues 610–614 and 874–878.
1982 Science 3 Sept. 922/2 Like myosin, collagen is composed of a multiple amino acid repeat, three residues in this case.
1997 Sci. News 20 Dec. 390/2 The researchers investigate disorders caused when a brief DNA sequence known as a CAG repeat occurs an abnormally large number of times in a gene's usual sequence.
5. Business. A consignment of goods similar to one already received; an order for such a consignment, a reorder. Cf. repeat order at Compounds 1a. Now rare.
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society > trade and finance > buying > [noun] > order > repeated order
reorder1883
repeat1885
1885 Pall Mall Gaz. 14 Nov. 2/1 I ordered patterns and fabrics..only to be disappointed. In short, to use a trade term, I could not be sure of getting a ‘repeat’.
1895 Daily News 19 Dec. 2/6 We can tell how trade is going by the ‘repeats’ we get.
1907 A. Nixon Accounting & Banking xv. 210 If the pattern is made specially for any job, it is usually debited to it, unless there is every reasonable probability that it can be shortly used again for a ‘repeat’ or similar work.
1978 Lancs. Life Apr. 79/2 It is surprising how difficult it is for the shops to get repeats from the manufacturers..once the spring season is underway.
Phrases
U.S. and repeat: (in horse racing, etc., following a measure of distance) indicating that a competitor returns back over the distance just run. Now rare.In some instances of the phrase, the word repeat might be interpreted as a verb.
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the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [phrase] > return over distance
and repeat1819
1819 Virginia Herald (Fredericksburg, Va.) 19 May 4/5 Second day two miles and repeat, free for all ages.
1839 C. F. M. Noland Let. 8 June in Cavorting on Devil's Fork (1979) 137 But for that race:—well, it was a mile and repeat.
1856 Trans. Michigan Agric. Soc. 7 276 Trotting horses shall be tested in harness, by going at least one mile and repeat.
1871 H. Woodruff & C. J. Foster Trotting Horse Amer. (new ed.) xlii. 342 He matched her against John J. Kelly's bay mare, to trot two miles and repeat..for $1,700.
1903 A. Adams Log of Cowboy ix. 131 A race horse can't beat an ox on a hundred miles and repeat to a freight wagon.
1916 Los Angeles Times 14 July iii. 2/4 Running race... Half-mile and repeat: five to enter, three to start.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a. Forming compounds denoting a further example or instance of the specified noun, as repeat business, repeat order, repeat performance, etc.
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1745 C. G. Richter Second Bk. Chron. William 3 Howbeit In——dsby the brigadier, notwithstanding his repeat orders, did not attack the fort, as he was commanded, and a great number of men were slain thro' his neglect.
1863 Times 9 Feb. 7/2 Owing to the spring trade having opened favourably, the home merchants were in a position to give out a few repeat orders for light fancy goods.
1888 Daily News 19 Nov. 2/7 There is an encouraging influx of repeat purchases.
1909 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald 28 Jan. Don't get caught without plenty of stock to redeem coupons and take care of the ‘repeat’ business.
1949 Radio Times 15 July 13/4 9.50 p.m. A repeat performance of Thaïs by Massenet.
1961 D. A. Bannerman Birds Brit. Isles IX. 15 By 10th May all normal clutches have been laid, but repeat-clutches are begun till the last days of May.
1980 Times 6 Sept. 13/5 Last year over half our visitors to London were on repeat visits.
1998 N.Y. Mag. 14 Sept. 198/1 Quinton returns for this repeat engagement with the young actor Stephen DeRosa in his sinister grip.
b. Forming compounds denoting a person who does something (implied by the second element) again or repeatedly, as repeat customer, repeat offender, repeat viewer, repeat visitor, etc.
ΚΠ
1906 Pearson's Mag. July 108/2 It is your ‘repeat’ customers that make your business profitable.
1940 Science 16 Aug. 143/2 An immense public, equivalent numerically—not allowing for repeat visitors—to approximately four per cent. of the total population of the entire nation.
1952 F. Pohl & C. M. Kornbluth in Galaxy June 33/2 Survey the book-buyers, the repeat-viewers of O' Shea's TV shows.
1978 Washington Post 8 Aug. c4/5 Many juveniles, he adds, are repeat offenders, ‘recycled’ through the system.
1986 A. Isserman Population Change & Econ. i. 16 Demographers have noted that a large proportion of migrants are repeat migrants or return migrants.
1993 Parents June 65/4 (heading) About 80% of repeat miscarriers suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome.
2003 Philadelphia Inquirer 11 July a14/2 Judges could be ordering repeat offenders to equip their vehicles with ignition switches that work only when a driver proves his or her sobriety by blowing into a tube.
C2. attributive. Music. Designating a mark, or each of a pair of marks, indicating that a passage is to be repeated, as repeat dot, repeat mark, repeat sign, etc. Cf. sense 1b.
ΚΠ
1852 L. Marshall & H. N. Stone Harpsichord vi. 9/1 Repeat marks..show that a passage is to be repeated.
1854 G. W. Röhner Pract. Treat. Musical Composition III. iii. i. 198 In this form the Canon stands exactly as it is performed: the repeat signs indicate the circulatory repetition.
1881 W. J. Westbrook Elem. Music ix. 31 The Close is placed only at the end of a composition, but may also have repeat dots if the last part is to be repeated.
1903 R. Hughes Musical Guide 128/2 The movement is to be played to the repeat-bar and then repeated to the Fine.
1963 A. Donato Preparing Music Manuscript iv. 67 Where the notes of the figure are beamed between staves the repeat symbol is placed as shown below.
1997 M. M. Marks Music & Silent Film iv. 147 He places repeat marks around the concluding portion of the excerpt.
2007 Modesto Bee (Nexis) 21 July b1 ‘Do you remember what this is?’ asks..Dale,..in front of a white board, guitar in hand... ‘A repeat sign!’ yells 7-year-old Tyler.
C3.
repeat buying n. the repeated purchase of a product, spec. the persistent buying of brands with which a shopper is familiar.
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society > trade and finance > buying > [noun] > persistent buying of same goods or brand
repeat buying1928
brand loyalty1934
1928 Indiana (Pa.) Progress 26 Sept. 8/1 (advt.) The most conclusive evidence that we can give you on its superior merits is the repeat buying, as invariably when a consumer buys one sack to try they are right back to buy one, two, three or four.
1944 Jrnl. Marketing 9 133/1 It shows the extent of repeat buying.
1993 Nature 30 Sept. 385/2 Different brands of a category of packaged goods commanded similar loyalty, measured by repeat-buying.
repeat fee n. a fee paid for the repetition of a service, spec. a fee paid to a radio or television artist each time his or her performance is rebroadcast.
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society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > fee for services rendered > [noun] > fee of professional person > money paid to actors or entertainers > for repeats on radio or television
repeat fee1929
residual1954
1929 Shorthorn Breeders' Guide 4 If it is desired to insert new photographs in..repeat entries, a charge of 10s. per photograph is made in addition to the repeat fee.
1941 Poetry Aug. 288 The author may receive one payment and the broadcaster be able to use the material again without further payment, or a small repeat fee may at times be arranged for.
1962 Times 23 June 5/6 Frequent appearances of an actor before the public in advertisements limits his opportunities for acting of other kinds,..and the repeat fees paid to him are compensation.
2002 E. Chappell Rising Damp Compl. Scripts iv. 419 Nowadays I wished I'd accepted because of the repeat fees.
repeat flowering n. and adj. Botany (a) n. the act or quality of flowering more than once in a season; an instance of this; (b) adj. (of a plant, esp. a rose) that flowers more than once in a season; remontant.
ΚΠ
1961 D. J. Foley Ground Covers for Easier Gardening iv. 104 Larger blossoms, clearer color, and repeat flowering in the autumn are among the aims of the plant breeders.
1962 Times 10 Nov. 11/2 For a bronzy-yellow ‘Marigold’ is very fragrant and repeat flowering.
1987 Washington Post (Nexis) 24 Jan. f9 The mother plant is incapable of a repeat flowering along the lines of the first one.
2003 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100 14932/2 It [sc. ragwort] usually flowers in its second year although it..can behave as a repeat-flowering perennial.
2008 Weekend Austral. (Nexis) 15 Nov. (Features section) 64 For repeat flowering, prune gauras back to the foliage crown after each flush.
repeat pattern n. = sense 4a.
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the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > [noun] > pattern
figure1609
repeat pattern1851
repeat1855
rosette1875
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [noun] > types of pattern or design generally
Morisk1341
Moresque1458
arabesque1656
Morisco1728
all-over1808
Moresco1823
shawl-pattern1838
repeat pattern1851
repeat1855
unit1855
styling1867
counterchange1888
oriental1897
mosaicking1923
scenic1956
1851 London Jrnl. Arts, Sci., & Manuf. 39 493 Its employment is by no means limited to the mere reproduction of repeat patterns on one plane.
1934 Amer. Home July 88/4 The most characteristic motifs are the star, geometrical repeat patterns, and floral designs.
2007 Sunday Age (Melbourne) (Nexis) 11 Mar. m5 Wallpaper is back. But forget the chintzy repeat patterns of last century.
repeat prescription n. a prescription for medication which may be issued to a patient for a second or subsequent time without requiring a consultation with a doctor.
ΚΠ
1927 Manitoba Free Press 21 Feb. 22/3 (advt.) When phoning for a repeat prescription dial 21263.
1977 Belfast Tel. 22 Feb. 8/9 As for patients ringing the receptionists for repeat prescriptions..for ‘nerves’ or sleeping tablets, in my opinion this is quite in order as it saves the doctor's valuable surgery time.
2003 C. Sutherland & S. Mehigan in R. Hatchett Nurse-led Clinics vi. 104 There are a number of practice nurses currently..issuing repeat prescriptions for contraceptive pills to women without..knowing the questions to ask to ascertain whether it is safe to do so.
repeat rate n. (a) a reduced charge offered to a repeat customer (now rare); (b) the frequency with which something is repeated.
ΚΠ
1912 Waterloo (Iowa) Times-Tribune 23 Apr. 8/2 Local advertising rate... Repeat rate 17 cents.
1946 R. R. Batcher & W. Moulic Electronic Control Handbk. iii. 190 In the counter just described, a series of pulses with a known repeat rate can be started and stopped.
1970 Computers & Humanities 5 25 P.K. Sala has described two measures of his own: phonolinkage,..and vocabulary repeat-rate within ten-word units.
2009 Sunday Business Post (Ireland) (Nexis) 4 Jan. Aspen is a special place. There's an 80 per cent repeat rate for visitors.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
repeatv.
/rᵻˈpiːt/, U.S. /rəˈpit/, /riˈpit/ 1.
a. intransitive. To return to something; to turn again. Obsolete.
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the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > turn back or reverse course
turnc1275
to turn aboutc1330
repeata1382
to turn againc1384
to turn backc1425
re-turn1483
resore1486
to turn the backc1540
to turn round1560
to set back1803
resile1887
to break back1933
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Bodl. 959) (1961) Josh. Prol. l. 45 We han demed..to repete [L. repetere], as wiþ amanere of aȝeyn tornynge to þe now longe left work.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 91 (MED) The peple of Parthia..fiȝhte..feynenge oftetymes..to flee, and..repetenge, fiȝhte that thei may hurte men folowenge theym indiscretely.
b. transitive. To seek again; to experience or undergo again. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > repeating > repeat (an action) [verb (transitive)] > undergo again
repeata1586
encore1806
a1586 A. Arbuthnot in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. 91 Repeit the poetis auld and reid thame gif thow can.
1645 E. Waller Battle of Summer-Islands iii. 106 The pious Trojan so, Neglecting for Creusa's life his own, Repeats the danger of the burning town.
1667 J. Dryden Annus Mirabilis 1666 cclvii. 65 Others..while through burning lab'rinths they retire, With loathing eyes repeat what they would shun.
1697 J. Dryden Ded. Æneis in tr. Virgil Wks. sig. (b)4v Æneas..having secured his Father and his Son,..repeated all his former Dangers to have found his Wife.
1767 C. Smart tr. Horace Odes i. ix, in tr. Horace Wks. (new ed.) I. 43 By turns the field, the tenis-court repeat [L. Nunc et Campus et areae..repetantur].
2. transitive. Scottish. To trace (something) back in time. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [verb (transitive)] > trace back
repeat1533
to carry upa1676
1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy Hist. Rome (1901) I. i. Prol. 8 Þe historie of romanis is of grete besines, becaus It is now to be repetit [L. repetatur] aboue sevin hundreth ȝeris.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 68 We think nocht sa far to repeit the beginning athir frome thir..finȝet Goddis, or frome..Gyantes.
3. Chiefly Scots Law.
a. transitive. To ask back, to demand the restitution of (money or goods); to claim, require. Also with from. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > command > command or bidding > command [verb (transitive)] > demand > restitution
reclaim1530
redemand1544
repeat1582
remand1596
1582 in D. Masson Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1880) 1st Ser. III. 499 All proffite and commoditie quhilk our said Soverane Lord..mycht ony wyse ask, cleame or repeit fra the saidis pertiners.
1597 Sc. Acts Jas. VI §100 (heading) The maner how gudes taken away, may be repeated.
1609 J. Skene tr. Regiam Majestatem 26 Gif he selles hir dowrie, and she consent thereto after his deceis, she may nocht repete the samine fra the buyer.
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar x. 136 When a man is in a considerable degree defrauded, then it is permitted to him to repeat his own before Christian arbitrators.
1686 G. Mackenzie Observ. Acts Parl. 322 These who are restored by way of justice, will have right even to repeat the sums of money, which formerly belonged to them.
b. intransitive and transitive. To make restitution of money or goods. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1639 Court Bk. Monimail 1 Oct. Ordanes the haill tennentis..of my lordis landis of Murdocairny to repat & delyuer to his lordship..of thair haill byrun teindis.
1699 in C. M. Armet Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court Deeds (1953) II. 741 [In case the said Barnhowrie] shall evickt the sam in law, [the said Mary obliges herself to] repitt [the same to the said Thomas].
1738 Caledonian Mercury 3 Oct. 11 of them, upon replacing the Money which they had carried off from the publick Fund, were set at liberty, 22 more were sent to the City Jail till they repete as accords.
1749 Caledonian Mercury 23 Feb. John Foushee Housekeeper..has fallen upon an effectual Cure for destroying of Buggs lodged in Timber work..if the Cure does not succeed, he obliges himself to repeat the Double of what he shall ruine.
1791 Ld. Kames Decisions I. 187 The Lord found it relevant to assoilzie the creditor from repeting the money to Executors qua creditors.
II. Senses relating to the repetition of speech.
4.
a. transitive. To say again (something which one has already said); to reiterate. Frequently with clause as object. Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > repetition > repeat [verb (transitive)]
doublec1380
naitc1400
reportc1405
repeat1427
renewa1464
iterate1533
resume1535
to run over ——1538
redouble1580
to go over ——1583
re-say1583
reclaim1590
ingeminate1594
reword1604
reassume1631
reutter1632
oversay1639
to fetch over1642
reassert1647
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express copiously [verb (transitive)] > repeat
repeat1427
reiterate1560
1427–8 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1427 §25. m. 5 Hit lyked you to..say, þat ye be protectour and defendour of þis lond..the whiche..ye semblably repeted þe thridde day of þis present moneth of March.
c1480 (a1400) St. Thomas Apostle 77 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 131 He can hire pray, In þe sammyne led, fore til repete þai sammyne wordis.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid iv. Prol. 220 By the will I repeit this vers agane, Temporall joy endis with wo and pane.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. lxviii. 183 It is true that in Sermons we doe not vse to repeate our sentences seuerally to euery particular hearer.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary ii. 254 We ad nothing more, but doe repeate vnto you, that we then did say in that point.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 400 Oft he to her his charge of quick returne Repeated . View more context for this quotation
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 259 He was too earnest for an Answer to forget his Question; so that he repeated it in the very same broken Words.
1780 W. Cowper Progress of Error 550 His still refuted quirks he still repeats.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. iii. 352 The King, as usual, repeated the same words over and over.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 200 As when we dwell upon a word we know, Repeating, till the word we know so well Becomes a wonder.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 12 He has repeated his words several times, and yet they cannot understand him.
1902 W. B. Yeats Let. c21 Apr. (1994) III. 178 I can only repeat that I was delighted with the acting of Mr. Fay's company.
1930 A. P. Herbert Water Gipsies xiii. 178 To gain time she said ‘Pardon?’ and Mr. Baxter had to repeat his question.
2002 India Weekly 26 Apr. 2/3 An interpreter interrupted an interrogator to tell him he was repeating questions, apparently unaware that is common practice in interrogations.
b. transitive (reflexive). To say again something which one has already said. Also in extended use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > repetition > repeat [verb (reflexive)]
repeat1768
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > express oneself copiously [verb (reflexive)] > repeat
repeat1874
1768 tr. J.-J. Rousseau in London Mag. Feb. 74/2 You will perhaps find, my dear sir, that I repeat myself, but no matter.
1798 Anti-Jacobin 26 Mar. 45 Tickled at the joke,..he repeats himself incessantly.
1819 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Nov. 203/2 Were a collection of his speeches to be made, he would be found to repeat himself even more than Counsellor Phillips.
1867 J. A. Froude Short Stud. 1st Ser. I. 2 He spoke more than an hour without a note—never repeating himself.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 1st Ser. 327 A man must necessarily repeat himself who writes eighty-five stories..in less than twenty years.
1904 Jrnl. Mental Sci. Apr. 222 She repeated herself frequently, making the same statements over and over again.
1965 Listener 9 Sept. 393/2 It contradicts most cogently the persistent accusation that Strauss repeated himself.
2004 N.Y. Times 3 Oct. 33/2 Mr. Bush's penchant for repeating himself..may have irritated some critics, but Mr. Boothman praised it as a classic strategy.
c. transitive. Used (esp. in radio communication, dictation, etc.) preceding the repetition of a word or phrase (frequently a negative) in order to emphasize it.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [verb (intransitive)] > other
to take the right-hand file1616
first1635
to speak in capitals?1694
to take the (or a) lead1761
to play first (or second) fiddle1778
to play first violin1780
to be no great (some great, considerable, etc.) shakes1819
to pitch it strong1823
to come out strong1825
violin1895
repeat1923
1923 Telegram 10 Aug. in Papers Relating to Foreign Relations U.S. 1923 (1938) I. 857 You will not (repeat not) deliver the note pending receipt of further instructions from the Department by telephone.
1943 F. J. Bell Condition Red xvi. 259 We are not—repeat—not—a Jap.
1957 ‘J. Wyndham’ Midwich Cuckoos iii. 23 A notification from the R.A.F. was received in Trayne of some unidentified flying object, not, repeat not, a service machine, detected by radar in the Midwich area.
1961 B. Pym No Fond Return of Love xi. 104 A notice..which said ‘Nobody, repeat nobody, is to tamper with the electric heating apparatus in here’.
1973 R. Hayes Hungarian Game xxxv. 209 The request was for numbers of people on staff, repeat, numbers on staff.
2003 Nation (N.Y.) 19 May 9/2 We're not supposed to compare Iraq to Vietnam—this is not, repeat, not, your father's quagmire.
5. † b. transitive. Chiefly Scottish. To mention, state. Obsolete.† c. intransitive (a) To hear recitations or lessons; (b) to recite or make a speech, spec. to preach as a repeater (repeater n. 2b). Obsolete. rare.† d. transitive. To celebrate, speak of (as or for something). Also with object complement. Only in passive. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. To recite or rehearse (something previously learned or composed); to say formally in public; to relate, recount.With quot. 1694 cf. sense 5c(b).
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
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > recitation > recite [verb (transitive)]
sayOE
record?c1225
reckonc1350
renderc1380
repeat1451
recite1481
to say over1560
bespout1575
decline1597
to call over1674
1451 in T. Rymer Fœdera (1710) XI. 292 (MED) So woll that this my Protestation be made for, Repetite, Rehercid, and as for Made of New in euery Acte..the which..might touch the Premisses..in any wise.
c1480 (a1400) St. Lucy 32 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 388 A mes, quhar þe ewangel repetyt ves of a woman [etc.].
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 6 You have truly repetyd Ptolomæus wordes.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. xxxjv He wrote to themperour..repeting the whole action at few words.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. i. 201 And therefore will he..keepe no tel-tale to his memorie, That may repeate, and history his losse, To new remembrance. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 113 These Euils thou repeat'st vpon thy selfe, Hath banish'd me from Scotland. View more context for this quotation
1640 R. Brome Antipodes sig. F3v It shall be by posterity repeaten That souldiers ought not to be dund or beaten.
1694 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 450 Daniel Stacy..repeated the 4 Easter Sermons at S. Marie's.
a1719 J. Addison Dialogues Medals in Wks. (1721) I. ii. 473 I cannot forbear repeating a passage out of Persius..that in my opinion [etc.].
1757 T. Gray Ode I ii. ii, in Odes 8 She deigns to hear the savage Youth repeat In loose numbers wildly sweet Their feather-cinctured Chiefs, and dusky Loves.
1826 W. Scott Woodstock III. i. 25 Repeat me these verses again, slowly and deliberately.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 17 An actor who spoiled his poems in repeating them.
1904 Amer. Jrnl. Sociol. 10 305 Children are sometimes described as able to read fluently when they can repeat in parrot fashion a few lines of the first reader.
2008 Independent 26 Feb. (Extra section) 13/2 She was the first of many people to repeat the adage: ‘Never put anything smaller than an elbow into your ear’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak, say, or utter [verb (transitive)] > mention or speak of
to speak of ——c825
sayOE
besayc1200
talk ofc1230
to make mention ofc1300
readc1300
yminnea1325
nevenc1330
to make mindc1350
toucha1375
famea1400
minta1400
clepec1400
rehearsec1405
recitec1436
reckonc1480
mentionatec1525
mention1530
to speak upon ——1535
name1542
repeatc1550
voice1597
commemorate1599
to speak on ——1600
notice1611
quote1612
to make vent ofa1616
memorate1623
mensh1928
c1550 Clariodus (1830) v. 2910 All circumstance I omit to repeit.
1561 J. Daus tr. H. Bullinger Hundred Serm. vpon Apocalips iii. 19 And first S. Iohn repeteth his name, lest we shuld any thing doubt of thautour,..But he repeteth not himself to be ye seruaunt of god.
1638 in Sc. Antiquary (1888) 1 28 And as representing the remanent lands before repeatit.
1676 in J. D. Marwick & R. Renwick Charters rel. Glasgow (1906) II. 196 In the samyn act quher the priveledge of importing is repeitted, their is noe the leist mentione made of salt.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > make a speech [verb (intransitive)]
deliverc1400
repeat1579
speak1583
perore1594
perorate1603
oratorize1620
concionatea1641
speech1684
speechify1723
oration1764
orate1780
platform1859
elocutionize1883
the mind > language > speech > speech-making > recitation > recite [verb (intransitive)]
to roll up1528
repeat1579
recite1742
society > education > teaching > systematic or formal teaching > [verb (intransitive)] > hear lessons
repeat1579
society > faith > worship > preaching > preach [verb (intransitive)] > as repeater
repeat1579
1579 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. III. 244 Mr. Magnus wes placit in the said college be way of interim to repeit with the studentis.
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles iv. 73 Thou speak'st like himnes vntuterd to repeat . View more context for this quotation
1673 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 261 Low Sunday, Samuel Parker of Merton Coll. repeated.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > making famous > make famous or celebrate [verb (transitive)]
enluminec1386
famea1400
bruitc1487
renowna1500
celebrate1522
specifya1525
illustrate1530
illustre1530
resoundc1550
blaze1552
blazon1553
ennoble1565
repeat1582
famose1590
famous1590
royalize1590
emblazon1592
emblaze1596
concelebrate1599
blazonize1614
laurizea1618
lustre1627
befame1669
sound1711
belion1837
lionize1837
1582 S. Batman Vppon Bartholome, De Proprietatibus Rerum sig. ¶.v/1 I doe much meruaile..why many be left out and not repeated as Authors.
1638 R. Brathwait Barnabees Journall (new ed.) iii. sig. V7 Thence to Wenchly, Valley-seated, For antiquity repeated.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 645 Reserv'd alive to be repeated The subject of thir cruelty, or scorn. View more context for this quotation
6. † b. intransitive. With upon. To make a retort to a person using the same words. Obsolete.Apparently an isolated use.In quot. in prepositional passive.
a.
(a) transitive. To say again (something said by another or others). Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > repetition > repeat [verb (transitive)] > after another
reportc1425
repeat1573
echoa1616
re-echo1635
1573 J. Davidson in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlii. 883 To speik ony mair..is not necessair, Thair friuole foches to repeit [rhyme debait].
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 95 Greefe fils the roome vp of my absent childe:..Puts on his pretty lookes, repeats his words. View more context for this quotation
1653 in W. Mackay & G. S. Laing Rec. Inverness (1924) II. 207 Who..minassed..me with many proud and insolent speiches not worthie to be repeitit.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 424. ⁋2 I do but repeat what has been said a thousand times.
1724 A. Ramsay Vision in Ever Green I. ix Eccho answers all; Repetand, and greitand.
1754 R. Pococke Trav. (Camden) II. 55 Here is an eccho at a well to the Church which repeats seven syllables.
1800 tr. J.-M. Leprince de Beaumont Civan 94 Instantly a crowd of flatterers surround him..maliciously repeat every word and action of his life and charge him with ambition.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 195 With difficulty she forbore from repeating the cries of lamentation and alarm, which were echoed around her.
1874 H. R. Reynolds John the Baptist i. i. 12 All the writers of the New Testament..do but repeat or transmit the significance of the life and work of Christ.
1937 A. Christie Dumb Witness ix. 199 ‘There was some story—I apologize for repeating gossip—’ Poirot spread out his hands deprecatingly—‘that she had quarrelled with her family?’
2007 Independent 27 Feb. 31/1 Social convention..prevents me from repeating Dr Williams' careful response.
(b) transitive. With direct speech as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > narration > direct speech > [verb (transitive)] > repeat (something said by another)
repeat1766
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xii. 119 ‘A groce of green spectacles!’ repeated my wife in a faint voice.
1799 E. Parsons Valley of St. Gothard (ed. 2) III. xxvii. 35 ‘How could Lord Dunford reconcile to love and reason, this unnecessary journey?’ ‘Unnecessary!’ I repeated, ‘how unnecessary!’
1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol i. 32 ‘You must have been very slow about it, Jacob.’.. ‘Slow!’ the Ghost repeated.
1866 C. M. Yonge Dove in Eagle's Nest I. ii. 58 ‘Ah! if the steeple of the Dome Kirk were but finished, I could not mistake it,’ said Christina... ‘Dome Kirk?’ repeated Ermentrude; ‘what is that?’
1896 Fores's Sporting Notes 13 4 ‘Won by a street,’ repeated Dick, thoughtfully.
1916 Amer. Mag. Oct. 69/1 ‘It was a sort of serve-self arrangement, like a restaurant,’ I said. ‘Serve self..,’ repeated Garner. ‘Serve-Self Sale. I have it.’
1956 ‘C. Blackstock’ Dewey Death xii. 278 ‘He wasn't really bad,’ said Barbara... ‘Bad!’ repeated Mr. Dodds. ‘What does that mean?’
2001 A. Bissett Boyracers 177 ‘Cool, eh?’ Dolby nods at the CD. ‘Cool,’ I repeat.
ΚΠ
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa VII. xxiii. 92 Lovel. Why so, Sir? Col. Why so, Sir, (angrily)..Lovel. (interrupting) I don't choose, Colonel, to be repeated upon, in that accent.
III. Senses relating to the repetition of actions or things.
7.
a. transitive. To do, make, or perform again.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > repeating > repeat (an action) [verb (transitive)]
renovela1325
reiterate?a1425
replicate?a1425
repeat?1440
iter1530
iterate?1548
redouble1580
redo1598
second1610
answer1613
renewa1616
ingeminate1625
reiter1634
double1645
reperform1651
rename1665
rehandle1697
retracta1699
rehearse1700
re-enact1819
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) iv. 48 (MED) Bernetes that beth maad in Ianyueer, Good tyme hit is for to repete [L. repetere] hem heer.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccclxxxijv Such thinges..ought not to haue the force of a law, but that all thinges should be repeted from the beginning.
1635 F. Quarles Emblemes ii. xiii. 115 He hath ill repented whose sinnes are repeated.
1691 W. Yworth New Art of making Wines vii. 89 Distill again, repeat this operation, till it become very strong and fragrant of the Grass.
1706 J. Savage tr. R. de Piles Art of Painting 72 There is scarce a Painter but has repeated some one of his Works.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) This Mark shews that the preceding Strain is to be repeated.
1775 J. Adair Hist. Amer. Indians 430 They would rather die by torture, than renew their shame by repeating the actions.
1800 tr. E. J. B. Bouillon-Lagrange Man. Course Chem. II. 104 Add..water to the residuum, boil it a second time, and repeat this operation twice.
1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire iii. 30 He repeats the attempt of Theodoric to breathe Teutonic spirit into Roman forms.
1880 19th Cent. Sept. 475 When he clattered his teeth, the hypnotised patient repeated the movement.
1907 ‘N. Blanchan’ Birds Every Child should Know xii. 178 He repeats his sky-coasting very often without having to wait for a snow-storm.
1954 Househ. Guide & Almanac (News of World) 182/1 Pass the hook round the thread and pull a loop through the one on the hook—repeat this for the number of stitches required.
2002 Imperial Oil Rev. Winter 28/2 Over the first morning, all the handlers and dogs in the class repeat the exercise.
b. transitive. To cause to appear again, to bring up or present again; (Mathematics) to cause (a digit or sequence of digits) to recur in a decimal fraction; (in passive) to occur again or repeatedly, to recur.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [verb (transitive)] > repeat
repeat1635
1635 tr. S. Dupleix Resoluer 160 The Septenarie number..is composed of the two first perfect numbers, par and impar; to wit, of the third and fourth: for the second being not composed but of an unite repeated.
1673 S. Morland Descr. & Use Two Arithm. Instruments v. 26 Thus are (8) and (12) composed Numbers one to another, because there is a certain number, viz. (4) which being repeated, or added to it self a certain number of times, composes both the one and the other of these numbers.
1714 S. Cunn New Treat. Fractions Pref. 6 The Reverend Mr. Brown, in his System of Decimal Arithmetick, manages such interminate Decimals as have a single Digit continually repeated. [ G. Brown Compendious, but Compleat Syst. Decimal Arithm. (1701) 21uses only reiterate].
1778 Encycl. Brit. I. 680/2 The second [division of the decimal]..repeats the resulting figure after the dividend is exhausted.
1828 Repertory Patent Inventions 5 420 If instead of repeating only once..the six ranks of screws, Nos. 13 to 24, the six ranks be made twice, we shall obtain a second kind of pattern.
1836 A. Turnbull Arithm. made Easy 150 The quotient will repeat continually the same figure, as ·333 = ⅓ (nearly)..or it will repeat a series of figures, as ·4545.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. viii. 195 Nine times in the course of this single Hymn is repeated this most expressive figure.
1909 Amer. Jrnl. Archaeol. 13 290 Three vases..repeat the familiar wreath pattern on two small ewers and a squat amphora.
1970 E. E. Kramer Nature & Growth Mod. Math. ii. 32 1/7 = 0.142857142857142857…where the figures 142857 are repeated over and over again forever.
2007 New Yorker 10 Dec. 21/2 One could..see Wool as Warhol redux, repeating his patterns until they become crypto-ironic wallpaper.
c. intransitive. To appear again or repeatedly, to recur; (Mathematics) = recur v. 4d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [verb (intransitive)] > recur
to come againOE
revert1606
recur1636
repeat1714
reiterate1733
reoccur1734
1714 S. Cunn New Treat. Fractions 66 If any required Root of some circulating Expression doth not repeat from the Repetend once used, it cannot repeat at all.
1796 C. Hutton Math. & Philos. Dict. (new ed.) I. 290/1 That part of the circulate which repeats is called the repetend.
1878 Carpet Trade Rev. Jan. 4/2 If the pattern repeats but once in the width of the fabric.
1917 C. P. Steinmetz Engin. Math. (ed. 3) 12 These decimal representations of common fractions..are periodic decimals, that is, the numerical values periodically repeat.
1965 Listener 10 June 867/2 A certain rugged, irregular shape tends to repeat throughout the picture.
1967 E. Short Embroidery & Fabric Collage i. 33 An allover pattern in embroidery differs from one that is printed in that it does not necessarily have to repeat exactly.
2003 M. J. Sterling Algebra 1 ii. 95 If there are any other factors in the denominator, the decimal equivalent will repeat.
2006 Science 28 Apr. 549/1 This pattern repeats quasi-periodically.
d. transitive (reflexive). = sense 7c.In quot. 1872: (of a curve) to trace out the same shape periodically along its length.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > [verb (reflexive)] > repeat
repeat1842
1842 Q. Rev. Sept. 398 The gold and red arabesque repeats itself, square after square of the pattern, with undeniable splendour, but somewhat wearying monotony.
1849 A. de Morgan Trigonom. & Double Algebra i. v. 58 The series repeats itself for the period during which θ passes from −¼π to ¼π.
1872 P. Frost Curve Tracing 190 The manner in which the curve repeats itself is given in another figure.
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. at Symmetry If..the crystal repeats itself three times, the symmetry is threefold or ternary.
1962 Math. Computation 16 485 It was..noted upon examining a decimal print-out of the first 25,000 pyramidal numbers that the last digit repeated itself in a cycle of 20.
1987 C. Phillips European Tribe i. 19 The donkey's tail swished lazily from side to side and shooed away the flies, and the landscape repeats itself for miles.
2008 N.Y. Mag. 16 June 49/2 That result would be a number—the number of times a particular string of glutamine DNA, known as CAG, repeated itself at the beginning of my Huntington's gene.
e. transitive. Education (originally and chiefly U.S.). To undertake (a grade or course) again.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > study > [verb (transitive)] > as a course or training > again
repeat1861
1861 G. B. McClellan Armies of Europe 365 In case of interruption from sickness, pupils may repeat one year's course.
1895 Sixty-Fifth Ann. Meeting (Amer. Inst. Instruction) 110 Hundreds more have merely learned a form of words which is in reality a worse failure than to repeat a grade.
1920 Elem. School Jrnl. 21 65 Many pupils are promoted each year weak in one or two subjects, but not sufficiently poor to be made to repeat a grade.
1973 Sun-Herald (Sydney) 26 Aug. 83/1 A suggestion has come that he should repeat third year as he is so young.
2008 Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times Free Press (Nexis) 14 Sept. b1 Children of teen mothers are 50 percent more likely to have to repeat a grade in school.
f. intransitive. U.S. To attain a (particular) success, achievement, etc., for a second or subsequent time; (esp. in Sport) to win a particular championship, etc., again, esp. on consecutive occasions.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > take [verb (transitive)] > take again or back
retake1567
regain1592
re-win1606
repeat1909
1909 N.-Y. Daily Tribune 20 Aug. 5/1 Rocky O'Brien furnished a stunning surprise by defeating Sweep in the rich Hopeful Stakes some two weeks ago, but few horsemen believe that the son of Middler will repeat.
1911 N.Y. Times 29 Aug. 8/5 Ramsdell is the first American to repeat as a winner in the English championship sprints as he won similar races in 1910.
1955 Billboard 12 Nov. 72/3 George Shearing's Quintet..repeated as No. 1.
1978 Detroit Free Press 2 Apr. (Parade Suppl.) 24/1 Jones also will be following in Abdul-Jabbar's giant footsteps if he repeats on the first team in his junior and senior years.
1991 Bicycle Guide Sept. 43/2 I really didn't think we'd repeat because the European teams were so upstaged last year that..they had to bring their best riders.
2002 Sporting News 11 Nov. 71/1 Much of the enthusiasm regarding KU's potential to repeat as a Final Four team waned as the result of star junior forward Drew Gooden's departure for the NBA.
g. transitive. To broadcast (a radio or television programme) again.
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society > communication > broadcasting > [verb (transitive)] > rebroadcast
rebroadcast1922
repeat1923
1923 Radio Times 28 Sept. 12/1 Why is it apparently not thought advisable to repeat the ‘Request Nights’, which..are so popular?
1947 Math. Tables & Other Aids Computation 2 370 Because of the great interest in the computer program these talks were repeated the same day from 5 to 7 p.m.
1974 Listener 29 Aug. 277/3 There could be no better celebration of the art of standing up and holding forth than the late Dr Bronowski's The Ascent of Man, the last episode of which was repeated over the weekend as a tribute.
1999 Newsweek 26 Apr. 45/2 On the following Saturday the episode is repeated..with the game winners, comments and other results.
8. † c. intransitive. U.S. To vote illegally more than once at the same election. Cf. repeater n. 5a. Obsolete. rare.
a. transitive. Of a clock or watch: to strike (the last hour or quarter) again when required. Also intransitive.
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the world > time > instruments for measuring time > clock > [verb (transitive)] > strike
strike1417
chime1550
go1675
repeat1675
1675 J. Smith Horol. Dialogues i. i. 5 Some strike quarters, some repeat the hour, and some chime tunes.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Watch Barlow's [watch] was made to Repeat, by pushing in two pieces on each side the Watch-box; one of which repeated the Hour and the other the Quarter.
1769 J. Cox Descr. Piece Mechanism & Art 5 Joining to the gallery..is a most curious horizontal eight day clock, that chimes, strikes, and repeats in a very extraordinary manner.
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 499 A clock..which strikes and repeats, and goes for eight days.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 107/1 The clock would at any time repeat the hour last struck.
1851 Official Descriptive & Illustr. Catal. Great Exhib. IV. 1273/1 Gold watch, striking the hour and quarters, and repeating when wanted.
1902 Archaeol. Jrnl. 59 209 This clock repeats the hours and quarters by pulling a string.
1997 Clocks & Barometers 314/1 (Gloss.) Repeater, a clock or watch which repeats the last hour, and sometimes the last quarter, five minutes or even minute, when a cord is pulled or a lever activated.
b. transitive. Nautical. Of a ship or its crew: to reproduce (a signal made by an admiral or other commander) in order to pass instructions to other vessels. Also intransitive. Now historical.
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society > communication > indication > signalling > visual signalling > flag signalling > signal (something) by flags [verb (transitive)] > signal to (a person) by flags > reproduce (signals made by admiral)
repeat1743
1743 C. Knowles Acct. Exped. Carthagena 6 Immediately on this Sir Chaloner Ogle made the Signal for landing the Troops, which was repeated by the Admiral, who was just come to an Anchor.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Signals The admiral's signals..are always repeated by the officers next in command; by ships appointed to repeat signals [etc.].
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Signals To preserve order in the repetition of signals..the commanders of the squadrons repeat after the admiral.
1809 Naval Chron. 22 181 Frigates,..To repeat in Admiral Byng's Division.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. 568 To Repeat Signals is to make the same signal exhibited by the admiral, in order to its being more readily distinguished at a distance.
1915 F. E. Chadwick Amer. Navy i. 6 They formed no part of a line of battle, their duty when accompanying a fleet being to remain clear of the line and repeat the admiral's signals.
2002 D. D. Volo & J. M. Volo Daily Life in Age of Sail iv. 70 When attached to the battle fleet, they [sc. frigates] served to repeat the admiral's orders.
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society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > election of representative body by vote > proceedings at election > [verb (intransitive)] > vote in specific way
to vote plump1742
plump1806
to split one's (or the) ticket or ballot1842
to vote the straight ticket1856
repeat1876
1876 in Rep. Comm. (U.S. Senate) (1877) 265 He, soon after receiving said ballot-box, delivered it, for the purpose of preventing the detection of others who repeated or voted more than once at said election.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. lxiv. 469 Vagabonds who..are ready to stuff ballot-boxes, to buy votes, to ‘repeat’, etc.
d. intransitive. Originally English regional (midlands and southern). Of food: to be tasted intermittently for some time after being swallowed as a result of belching or indigestion. Now usually with on (the person affected). Also figurative.
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the world > food and drink > food > qualities of food > [verb (intransitive)] > be indigestible
rejumble1671
to lie heavy, cold, etc. (formerly, simply to lie) on the stomach1711
to lie (heavy) on one's stomach1711
repeat1879
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Repeat, same as Rehearse [Rehearse, to rise on the stomach, as of food which disagrees.].
1896 G. F. Northall Warwickshire Word-bk. 191 I don't much care for veal: I find it repeat so.
1917 J. Brynildsen Norsk-engelsk Ordbog (ed. 2) 732/2 Repetere, everything I ate would repeat on me.
1954 E. B. White Let. 28 July (1976) 398 At my age, Miss T., a writer repeats like an onion.
1968 E. Buckler Ox Bells & Fireflies xii. 161 A woman would repeat as often as the cucumbers ‘repeated’ on her: ‘I like cucumbers, but they don't like me.’
1981 P. H. Johnson Bonfire i. vii. 71 I hope these aren't cucumber sandwiches... Cucumber always repeats.
1995 Independent 29 Apr. 13/1 An encounter in the Tory marginal of Elmet kept repeating on me.
2005 H. Mantel Beyond Black 164 Bloody crucified me, that pie. Repeating on me for three bloody weeks.
9.
a. transitive (reflexive). Of a thought, sound, image, etc.: to reappear, occur again. Of a person: to reproduce or present oneself again.
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the world > action or operation > repeating > reproduce or re-present [verb (reflexive)]
repeat1694
1694 S. Slater Earnest Call to Family-relig. 78 Such thoughts as these will at sometimes be making their way into their minds, and repeating themselves.
1739 tr. C. Rollin Rom. Hist. II. vii. iv. 306 The continual view of so dreadful a scene, which every day repeated itself to their eyes, had inured them..to their own calamities.
a1780 J. Gough Mem. Life James Gough (1781) 14 The frightful nearness of such a danger, and narrow escape from it so affected my mind, as to invade my sleep that night, and repeat itself again to my imagination with aggravations of horror.
1819 Examiner 9 May 300/1 Any degree of ability below theirs is sure insipidly to repeat itself, or to multiply mediocrity by haste.
1822 Edinb. Rev. Feb. 420 In personating the heroes of the scene, he does little but repeat himself.
1869 R. C. Trench Prov. & their Lessons (ed. 6) vi. 178 There is a tendency in a great crime to reproduce and repeat itself, to call forth, that is, other crimes of the same character.
1908 Locomotive Engineers Jrnl. Jan. 59/1 There is an old song that keeps repeating itself to my mind after having put the tired little tots to bed.
2006 H. Matar In Country of Men (2007) 48 ‘There's no smoke without fire’; the sentence repeated itself once more in my head.
b. transitive (reflexive). Of an event or phenomenon: to recur in the same form; to happen again in the same way. Frequently in history repeats itself and variants. [Compare German die Geschichte wiederholt sich selbst history repeats itself (1828 or earlier).]
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1838 Fraser's Mag. Apr. 498/1 As history is constantly repeating itself, we must not be surprised if we can in other annals find an exact parallel.
1841 J. H. Bennett Treat. Oleum Jecoris Aselli 47 The same phenomenon was observed to repeat itself several times on the oil being again given.
1891 Science 29 May 301/1 The time will arrive when my life, like that of every other individual, will repeat itself.
1915 Amer. Forestry Dec. 1091/2 Were the New Madrid earthquake of a century ago to now repeat itself..it would probably kill a host of people, destroy big cities, and cause incalculable damage.
1940 Ld. Alanbrooke Diary 2 Feb. in War Diaries (2001) 36 History is repeating itself in an astonishing way.
2001 Chesapeake Bay Mag. Oct. 72/2 So that history doesn't repeat itself, I've composed a list of Ship's Rules and Protocols to be observed by all future guests.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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