Recap Is Short for Recapitulate, Which Means Head by Head
To recap is to summarise the main points. The long word behind it means to go through something under its headings.
To recap is to summarise the main points of something already said. It is a clipping of *recapitulate*, from Latin *capitulum*, a little head, meaning a chapter heading. To recapitulate is literally to go back through the headings — which is exactly what a summary does. The same *caput*, head, gives *chapter*, *capital*, *captain* and *decapitate*. A separate verb *recap* means to fit a worn tyre with a new tread.
- To summarise. *Let me recap.*
- A summary. *A quick recap.*
- Recapitulate — the full word. *Recapitulate.*
- To retread a tyre. *A recapped tyre.*
- Latin — *caput*, head. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | recap | Recap it. |
| Noun | recap | A recap. |
| Full form | recapitulate | Recapitulate. |
| Noun | recapitulation | Recapitulation. |
| Latin | capitulum | A little head. |
- Let me recap the main points.Verb.
- Here is a recap of the season.Noun.
- Capitulum means chapter heading.Etymology.
The caput family
- Recap — going back over the headings
- Chapter — a division under a heading
- Capital — the head city, or the head of a column
- Captain — the head of a company
- Capitulate — to draw up terms under headings, hence to surrender
A shortening of *recapitulate*, from Late Latin *recapitulare*, to go over the main points, from *capitulum*, a chapter heading.
What does recapitulate literally mean?
To go back through the headings, from capitulum, a chapter heading, itself from caput, head.
Is capitulate related?
Yes. Surrender terms were drawn up under headings, which is how capitulate came to mean giving in.