reprise

1 of 2

noun

re·​prise ri-ˈprēz 

 sense 3 is also  ri-ˈprīz

1

[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

2

: a recurrence, renewal, or resumption of an action

3

: a deduction or charge made yearly out of a manor or estate

—usually used in plural

reprise

2 of 2

verb

re·​prise ri-ˈprīz 

 sense 1 is  ri-ˈprēz

reprised; reprising

transitive verb

1

a

: to repeat the performance of

b

: to repeat the principal points or stages of : recapitulate

2

archaic : take back

especially : to recover by force

3

archaic : compensate

Did you know?

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. That sense 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.

Synonyms

Noun

• duplication
• iteration
• redo
• reduplication
• reiteration
• renewal
• repeat
• repetition
• replay
• replication

Verb

• abstract
• boil down
• brief
• digest
• encapsulate
• epitomize
• outline
• recap
• recapitulate
• sum up
• summarize
• synopsize
• wrap up

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

There are certainly issues upon which your mileage may vary: the film is at times sluggish, the jukebox tunes are largely mid-20th century tracks with multiple reprises, and Phillips demonstrates a lack of commitment to cinematic musicals (and an unexpected commitment to ’70s variety shows). —Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Oct. 2024

Richard Goodall's America's Got Talent audition ends with Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum The performance that captured fans' hearts across the country and earned him a Golden Buzzer from judge Heidi Klum was a reprise of his viral TikTok performance. —Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Sep. 2024

Verb

Greer will recur in an undisclosed role alongside Garner, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Angourie Rice and David Morse, who are set to reprise their roles for season two. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2024

In addition to the Gibbs character, NCIS: Origins reprises the character of Mike Franks, the Major Case Response Team leader and mentor figure to Gibbs. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!