http://www.word-detective.com/2011/01/capitulate-recapitulate/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.word-detective.com/2011/01/capitulate-recapitulate/comment-page-1/#comment-26425 David H. Hendon Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:35:50 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=4697#comment-26425 Your discussion of "recapitulate" with "re-" signifying either "again" or "back", raised a question in my mind. Your examples of "renegotiating" and "refoliating" suggesting the latter idea of suggesting "back" in the sense of changing the state of a condition flummoxed me. I may have a contract that expires. Although, strictly speaking, renegotiating the contract may change the condition of the expired contract, it certainly carries the connotation of reaccomplishing the contract, i.e., doing it again,very possibly with the same terms. I can't help but wonder if the idea or "re-" meaning "back" is not more revealed in words like "reply", "return", "respond", "restore", "repair" or even "reveal". They all seem to have far more the sense of "back" than "again". "Return's" meaning requires a "turning back", if not along the same path, at least a reversal of direction. You're the expert, but I wanted to raise the issue. Your discussion of “recapitulate” with “re-” signifying either “again” or “back”, raised a question in my mind. Your examples of “renegotiating” and “refoliating” suggesting the latter idea of suggesting “back” in the sense of changing the state of a condition flummoxed me. I may have a contract that expires. Although, strictly speaking, renegotiating the contract may change the condition of the expired contract, it certainly carries the connotation of reaccomplishing the contract, i.e., doing it again,very possibly with the same terms.
I can’t help but wonder if the idea or “re-” meaning “back” is not more revealed in words like “reply”, “return”, “respond”, “restore”, “repair” or even “reveal”. They all seem to have far more the sense of “back” than “again”. “Return’s” meaning requires a “turning back”, if not along the same path, at least a reversal of direction.
You’re the expert, but I wanted to raise the issue.

]]> http://www.word-detective.com/2011/01/capitulate-recapitulate/comment-page-1/#comment-20736 laura Sun, 24 Jul 2011 22:46:01 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=4697#comment-20736 I enjoy your work. Thanks I enjoy your work. Thanks

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