Recantation means a personal public act of denial of a previously published opinion or belief. It is derived from the Latin re cantare to re-sing.

Why does recant mean?

to withdraw or disavow (a statement, opinion, etc.), especially formally; retract. to withdraw or disavow a statement, opinion, etc., especially formally.

What is an example of recant?

Frequency: To recant is to publicly take back something you said or to state that you no longer believe something in which you once believed. When you say that you no longer hold the religious beliefs you did in the past, this is an example of a situation where you recant.