VocabDictionary

recapitulate

/ˌriːkəˈpɪtʃuˌleɪt/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.verb

To summarize and state again the main points of something previously discussed, written, or stated.

Example Sentences:
  • At the end of his presentation, the CEO took a few minutes to recapitulate the main financial goals.
  • To ensure everyone understood, the teacher decided to recapitulate the core concepts of the lecture.
2.verb

In biology, to repeat (an evolutionary process) during the development of an embryo or organism.

Example Sentences:
  • Some historical biological theories suggested that ontogeny tends to recapitulate phylogeny.
  • The embryonic stages often appear to recapitulate the evolutionary history of the species.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “recapitulate”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from Late Latin 'recapitulatus', past participle of 'recapitulare', formed from the prefix 're-' (again) plus 'capitulum' (heading or chapter, diminutive of 'caput' meaning 'head'). Literally, it means to go back over the main headings or chapters of a discussion or work.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'CAPITal' city as the main point, and 're-cap-itulate' means going over the main points again.

Frequently Asked Questions About “recapitulate

1. What is the meaning of “recapitulate” in English?

In English, recapitulate (verb) is defined as: “To summarize and state again the main points of something previously discussed, written, or stated.”.

2. How do you use “recapitulate” in a sentence?

At the end of his presentation, the CEO took a few minutes to recapitulate the main financial goals.

3. What are English synonyms of “recapitulate”?

Common synonyms include:summarize,recap,review,outline,repeat

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “recapitulate”?

Derived from Late Latin 'recapitulatus', past participle of 'recapitulare', formed from the prefix 're-' (again) plus 'capitulum' (heading or chapter, diminutive of 'caput' meaning 'head'). Literally, it means to go back over the main headings or chapters of a discussion or work.