reprise

noun

re·prise | \ ri-ˈprēz

, sense 1 is also ri-ˈprīz\

Definition of reprise

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a deduction or charge made yearly out of a manor or estate —usually used in plural

2 : a recurrence, renewal, or resumption of an action

3 [ French, from Middle French ]

a : a musical repetition:

(1) : the repetition of the exposition preceding the development

(2) : recapitulation sense 3

b : a repeated performance : repetition

reprise

verb

re·prise | \ ri-ˈprīz

, sense 3 is ri-ˈprēz\

reprised; reprising

Definition of reprise (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 archaic : take back especially : to recover by force

2 archaic : compensate

3a : to repeat the performance of

b : to repeat the principal points or stages of : recapitulate

Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about reprise

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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

Hey, just as Lara Jean and Peter reprised their contract in Jenny Han's novel P.S. I Still Love You, Lana and Noah could always amend theirs. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Lana Condor and Noah Centineo Made a "No Dating" Contract While Filming "To All the Boys I've Loved Before"," 12 Jan. 2019 Kate McKinnon also reprised an appearance as Sen. Lindsay Graham. — Krystin Arneson, Glamour, "Saturday Night Live's Cold Open Featured the GOP Celebrating Kavanaugh's Confirmation With Brewskis," 7 Oct. 2018 Prince George and Princess Charlotte reprised their famous wedding party roles for the wedding of Duchess Kate's close friend, Sophie Carter, and Robert Snuggs. — Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, "Prince George and Princess Charlotte Were in Yet Another Wedding This Weekend," 24 Sep. 2018 The guitarist reprised his role in 1998's Blues Brothers 2000 and also appeared on the film's soundtrack. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, "Matt 'Guitar' Murphy, Blues Brothers Guitarist, Dies at 88," 16 June 2018 Anna will reprise her role in Descendants 3 and in the short-film Under the Sea: A Descendants Story. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Meet the Cast of "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" and Their Characters," 20 Aug. 2018 Both actors will reprise their former roles in the pilot, with Kim acting as Detective Diane Russell and Bill as Police Administration Aid John Irvin. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "'NYPD Blue' Casts Two of the Show's Original Actors for the Reboot," 9 Jan. 2019 The cast: The show's leads, Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, will reprise their roles as Eve Polastri and Villanelle, respectively. — Jennifer Lance, Glamour, "Killing Eve Season 2: Here's Everything We Know So Far," 3 Jan. 2019 Next year, Eckstein will reprise her role when The Clone Wars returns on Disney’s upcoming streaming service, Disney+. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "What’s in your bag, Ashley Eckstein?," 14 Dec. 2018

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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