re-count

[ verb ree-kount; noun ree-kount, ree-kount ]

verb (used with object)

1. to count again.

noun

1. a second or additional count, as of votes in an election.

re-count

verb

1. to count (votes, etc) again

noun

1. a second or further count, esp of votes in a closely contested election

Word History and Origins

Origin of re-count¹

First recorded in 1755–65; re- + count ¹

Example Sentences

After a re-count I think that my 1356 is a little too large, and should not be surprised if the 26631⁄2 had been exactly halved.

From Project Gutenberg

Ever, when we re-count the tale, there is something to overturn the theories of the police.

From Project Gutenberg

The old lady had drawn a roll of bank-notes from her pocket, which she proceeded carefully to count and re-count.

From Project Gutenberg

In the fury of despair, the Tories had demanded a re-count of the votes, but this had only altered the majority by three.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Re-count

What does re-count mean?

A re-count is a second or additional count, such as of votes or money, as in The election vote re-count had everyone wondering who really won the race.

To re-count is to count the same thing again, as in Every time I re-count my cash drawer, the total comes out different.

Re-count can be confused with recount (no hyphen). To recount something is relate or narrate something, as when you recount your fishing adventures to your friends.

Example: There were some distractions during the first count, so I think we need a re-count.

Where does re-count come from?

The first records of the term re-count come from the mid-1700s. It combines the prefix re–, meaning “again,” and the term count, meaning “to check over” or “to determine number.”

In elections, re-counts are usually only done when there is evidence that not all the votes were legitimate or when the count is very close and everyone wants to be sure the results are correct. In the United States, some states have laws that will automatically trigger a re-count of votes for government positions if the results are close enough, while others have laws stating that a re-count can be requested by a candidate or by voters if the results are within a specific margin.

Did you know … ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with re-count? 

• count

What are some words that often get used in discussing re-count?

• ballot
• candidate
• margin
• tabulate
• votes

What are some words re-count may be commonly confused with?

• recount

How is re-count used in real life?

Re-count is used to describe a count that needs to be done again.

Labour defended 4 council seats last night we held three comfortably and lost one to the Tories after a re-count, well done to all concerned

— Angela Rayner 🌹 (@AngelaRayner) July 15, 2016

In the 2009 elections, in Sivaganga constituency, there was only one count and no re-count.

A simple check with the Returning Officer would have confirmed that there was no re-count.

How many times can people in high places peddle a lie?

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) February 11, 2019

Wait! How did Jess & Ched win that! Re-count please. #LoveIsland

— Alex SHAQ Shafiq (@InkedUpSHAQ) February 20, 2020

 

 

Try using re-count!

Is re-count used correctly in the following sentence?

I re-counted my day to him over dinner.