Recant, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Recanting.]
Etymology: [L. recantare, recantatum, to recall, recant; pref. re- re- + cantare to sing, to sound. See 3d Cant, Chant.]
To withdraw or repudiate formally and publicly (opinions formerly expressed); to contradict, as a former declaration; to take back openly; to retract; to recall. How soon . . . ease would recant Vows made in pain, as violent and void! Milton.
Syn. -- To retract; recall; revoke; abjure; disown; disavow. See Renounce.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Recant, v. i.
To revoke a declaration or proposition; to unsay what has been said; to retract; as, convince me that I am wrong, and I will recant. Dryden.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for recant; he lists it under abandon, renounce.
Where he writes about it:
Abjure, discard, forswear, recall, recant, renounce, retract, and revoke, like abandon, imply some previous connection. — from renounce
Recant (L. re, back, and canto, sing) is to take back or deny formally and publicly, as a belief that one has held or professed. — from renounce