▪ I. recanter1
(rɪˈkæntə(r))
[f. recant v.1 + -er1.]
One who recants or retracts.
| 1589 J. Rider Biblioth. Schol. s.v. Recant, A recanter, or he that recanteth, palinodicus. 1607 Shakes. Timon v. i. 149 The publike Body, which doth sildome Play the re-canter. 1689 Hickeringill Modest Inq. iv. 29 Heaven is fill'd with no glorified Saints, except Recanters. 1826 W. E. Andrews Rev. Foxe's Bk. Mart. II. 52 A recanter, a prevaricator, and frontless liar. |
▪ II. † recanter2 Obs. rare—1.
[f. recant v.2]
(See quot.)
| a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1840) III. 428 To recant;..to say over the same again (in which sense the cuckoo, of all birds, is properly called the recanter). |