recites

Recites is the third-person singular present tense of the verb recite. To recite is to say aloud from memory or from prepared text, often to an audience, or to recount something in order. Recitation can involve poetry, religious passages, lines from a play, or factual material presented aloud.

Etymology and usage: The verb derives from Old French reciter, from Latin recitare, meaning to read aloud or recount from memory. In English, recite has long been used for both memorized performance and the act of recounting information.

In education and public life, recitation is a common exercise in language learning and literature classes, used to assess memory, pronunciation, and fluency. Recitation competitions, poetry readings, and oral exams are examples. In religious and ceremonial contexts, individuals or congregations recite prayers, creeds, hymns, or psalms.

Grammar and related forms: Recites is used with third-person singular subjects (he recites, she recites, it recites). Related forms include recite (base form), recited (past tense), and reciting (present participle). Nouns include recitation (the act of reciting) and recital (a public performance of material to be recited) and reciter (a person who recites). Recital is a related noun that can refer to a public performance of music or, less commonly, a formal recitation.

See also: recitation, recital, reciter, oral tradition.