iterare

Iterare is a verb meaning to repeat or reiterate; it appears in Latin and in several Romance languages. It generally denotes performing an action again or carrying out successive repetitions, and it is often used in linguistic, mathematical, and computing contexts to express repeated processes.

Etymology and form: The term comes from Latin iterum, meaning again, with the suffix -āre forming a first-conjugation verb. In Latin, iterāre belongs to the first conjugation, and its forms include iterō (I repeat), iterās (you repeat), iterat (he/she/it repeats), and the infinitive iterāre. The basic sense is to do something again or to recite or rehearse it once more.

Latin usage: In classical Latin, iterāre can pair with nouns or pronouns to indicate repeating an action or repeating words, phrases, or events. A simple example is Verba eius iterat, “He repeats his words.” The verb accommodates typical Latin tense and mood distinctions to express repetition across time and emphasis.

Romance languages and modern use: In Italian, iterare means to repeat, and it is used in both everyday language and technical contexts such as programming, where phrases like iterare un ciclo (to iterate a loop) are common. The related noun iterazione means “iteration.” In other Romance languages, cognates exist with similar meanings, though usage patterns vary: some varieties prefer terms like ripetere or repetir in ordinary speech, reserving iterare or its derivatives for technical or formal contexts.

Computing and mathematics: Outside traditional philology, iterare and its cognates are used to describe iterative processes, loops, and repeated computations. The concept remains central to algorithms, numerical methods, and process modeling, where repeated application of a function or operation drives progression toward a result.