repetend

[ rep-i-tend, rep-i-tend ]

noun

1. Mathematics. the part of a repeating decimal that is repeated, as 1234 in 0.123412341234. …
2. Music. a phrase or sound that is repeated.
3. Prosody. a word, phrase, line or longer element that is repeated, sometimes with variation, at irregular intervals in a poem.

repetend

/ ˌrɛpɪˈtɛnd; ˈrɛpɪˌtɛnd /

noun

1. maths the digit or series of digits in a recurring decimal that repeats itself
2. anything repeated

repetend

/ rĕp′ĭ-tĕnd′ /

1. The digit or group of digits that repeats infinitely in a repeating decimal. The repetend of the decimal form of 5 12 (0.4166666…) is 6.

Word History and Origins

Origin of repetend¹

1705–15; < Latin repetendum that which is to be repeated, neuter gerund of repetere to repeat

Word History and Origins

Origin of repetend¹

C18: from Latin repetendum what is to be repeated, from repetere to repeat

Example Sentences

Poe himself in his waywardness could not adhere to it when he reached it, and after giving us in the original form of “Lenore,” as published in “The Pioneer,” 269 perhaps the finest piece of lyric measure in our literature, made it over into a form of mere jingling and hackneyed rhythm, adding even the final commonplaceness of his tiresome “repetend.”

From Project Gutenberg

Dosis repetend. 2dis. 4tis. vel 6tis. horis.

From Project Gutenberg

Refrain, a line or part of a line repeated according to the metrical pattern, 184 f.; the term repetend is occasionally used.

From Project Gutenberg

She also employed what I term the Repetend, in the use of which Poe has excelled all poets since Coleridge thus revived it: "O happy living things! no tongue Their beauty might declare: A spring of love gushed from my heart, And I blessed them unaware: Sure my kind saint took pity on me, And I blessed them unaware."

From Project Gutenberg

Poe created the fifth line of his stanza for the magic of the repetend.

From Project Gutenberg