Definition of REPRISE

Did You Know?

Noun

When "reprise" was first adopted into English in the 15th century, it referred to a deduction or charge made yearly out of a manor or estate (and was usually used in the plural form "reprises"). It probably won't surprise you, then, to learn that "reprise" comes from an Anglo-French word meaning "seizure, repossession, or expense." Eventually, "reprise" came to refer to any action that was repeated or resumed. A later sense, borrowed from modern French, applies to specific types of repetition in musical compositions and was eventually generalized to describe any subsequent and identical performance. It's possible, for example, to have a reprise of a television program or a book.

Examples of reprise in a Sentence

Noun

They ended their performance with a reprise of the opening number. The team is hoping to avoid a reprise of last year's defeat.

Verb

He will reprise his role in the play. the prosecutor's closing statement effectively reprised the case against the defendant

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

We should be worried about a dangerous, potentially crisis-inducing reprise in 2020. — Zack Beauchamp, Vox, "The Republican Party versus democracy," 17 Dec. 2018 But the early-voting data is far from decisive for Democrats, who fear a reprise of 2016, when early-voting totals seemed to all but ensure victory for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. — Andrew Duehren, WSJ, "Early Voting Surges as Midterms Approach," 2 Nov. 2018 And could Kingpin be making a reprise as Matt's arch nemesis? — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Matt Murdock is back and darker than ever in new trailer for Daredevil season 3," 21 Sep. 2018 Wooster Group veterans, including Valk, Ari Fliakos, Jim Fletcher and Suzzy Roche, reprise in ghostly fashion the performances of Kantor's flexibly precise actors. — Charles Mcnulty, latimes.com, "With 'A Pink Chair,' Wooster Group conjures from spirits from theater's past," 7 Apr. 2018 That excursion brought the Philharmonic to the Ravinia Festival, which on Thursday night launched its symphonic celebration of this year’s Bernstein centennial with a reprise of that historic program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "CSO at Ravinia review: Marin Alsop poetically launches Bernstein tribute," 13 July 2018 Kwon Sang-woo and Sung Dong-il reprise their roles as Dae-man and Tae-su, skilled criminal investigators with clashing personalities. — Noel Murray, latimes.com, "Korean comedy 'The Accidental Detective 2: In Action' is a smooth, if unmemorable, ride," 20 June 2018 In the coming weeks, audiences will get a chance to see Goldblum reprise his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm in the latest installment of the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. — Richard Smirke, Billboard, "Jeff Goldblum Signs With Universal's Decca Records," 29 May 2018 While his character in The Handmaid’s Tale is no reprise of Get Out’s Dean Armitage, the two men convey similar moods. — refinery29.com, "Meet Commander Lawrence, The Most Destabilizing Presence On The Handmaid's Tale," 10 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The actress, producer, and Time's Up leader is reportedly in the process of reprising her role as Elle Woods, gearing up a team to help create Legally Blonde 3. — Morgan Baila, refinery29.com, "Legally Blonde 3," 4 June 2018 Colbert reprised that popular character on his Monday night show to jokingly criticize Wolf himself. — Jennifer Calfas, Time, "'Grow a Pair.' Here's How Late Night Hosts Responded to the Michelle Wolf Controversy," 1 May 2018 Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie will reprise their characters as guest stars; BB-8 will be featured as well. — Ray Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, "What Matters in Hollywood Today," 27 Apr. 2018 Hosted by Claire Foy, the sketch comedy show spared no expense for anyone, with Alec Baldwin reprising his role as a disgruntled President Trump and the cast hilariously spoofing the grandparents from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. — Jennifer Lance, Glamour, "SNL Just Trolled All Your Favorite Netflix Shows," 2 Dec. 2018 Deadline reports that Michelle Yeoh is in talks to headline a standalone series for the streaming service, reprising her role of Emperor / Captain Philippa Georgiou. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Star Trek Discovery’s Michelle Yeoh might get her own spinoff show for CBS All Access," 10 Nov. 2018 The original principal cast, including Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery, and Hugh Bonneville, are all set to reprise their roles. — Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, "‘Downton Abbey’ movie is a go, with original cast," 13 July 2018 The musical would go on to become a film in 1969, but while Fosse would take the opportunity to direct his first film, Verdon did not reprise her leading role. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "The True Story of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon's Relationship," 17 Apr. 2019 Shemar Moore, Kristoff’s friend and on-screen brother, will be one of many actors reprising their roles. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "Here’s How ‘The Young and the Restless’ Will Pay Tribute to Kristoff St. John on the Show," 16 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reprise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for reprise

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, seizure, repossession, expense, from feminine past participle of reprendre to take back, from re- + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere

Verb

Middle English, from Middle French repris, past participle of reprendre

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