recited

Recited is the past tense and past participle of the verb recite. Recite means to say aloud or to recount something from memory, often by delivering a prepared text such as poetry, prayers, a speech, or lines from a play. It can also mean to recount facts or events in sequence. In education and public life, students and speakers may recite passages in front of an audience, and religious or ceremonial contexts may involve groups reciting prayers or creeds. The act is typically distinguished from simply reading aloud; reciting implies either memorization or a deliberate rendition of a text, sometimes with interpretation or emphasis.

Etymology: The word recite traces to Latin recitare, via Old French reciter, combining a prefix re- with citare “to summon, call forth” (or to set forth). The noun form recitation and the related noun recital describe the act or a performance of recited material.

Usage notes: Recited is used as a verb in the past tense (She recited the poem from memory) or as an adjective describing material that has been spoken aloud in this way (recited lines). In contrast, a recitation is the act or instance, and a recital is a public performance of recited material, typically with musical or dramatic elements.