Speaking or reading aloud something you've memorized, like a poem or speech.
From Latin 'recitare' (re- meaning 'again' + citare 'to summon or call'), originally meaning to read aloud in formal settings. The word evolved to describe the act of performing memorized text.
Recitation was literally how people shared stories before books existed—ancient poets like Homer had entire epics memorized and recited them at gatherings, which is why oral tradition was so powerful in preserving history.
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