recount

Recount is a word with several related but distinct uses. As a verb, it means to tell in detail about a sequence of events or to relate a story or experience. It can also mean to count again, especially when checking or correcting a tally. As a noun, recount can refer to the act of recounting, a narrative that details events, or, in electoral contexts, a procedure to re-examine and re-tally votes.

In everyday language, a recount emphasizes a careful or orderly retelling. People may recount experiences, histories, or investigations, often focusing on chronology, key facts, and outcomes. The sense of recounting a story often implies attention to accuracy and structure, though it can also reflect a speaker’s perspective or emphasis.

In elections and formal records, a recount is a defined process to verify results by re-counting votes or re-examining ballots. Recounts may be automatic, triggered by close margins, or requested by candidates or officials and are governed by jurisdictional rules. Methods vary and can include machine recounts, manual re-counts, and post-election audits. Recounts can be contentious and costly, and outcomes may or may not change the result.

As a broader linguistic term, recounts in history, journalism, or memoirs serve to preserve memory and convey events to others. They require careful wording to balance fidelity to facts with narrative clarity and reader comprehension.