recur
/ɹɪˈkɜɹ/ verb C1- Of an event, situation, etc.: to appear or happen again, especially repeatedly. · The theme of the prodigal son recurs later in the third act.
- Of a disease or symptom: to happen again, especially repeatedly or after a remission or an apparent recovery.
- Of a memory, thought, etc.: to come to the mind again.
- To speak, think, or write about something again; to go back or return to a memory, a subject, etc.
- Synonym of recurse (“to execute a procedure recursively”).
- Often in the form recurring following a number: of a numeral or group of numerals in a decimal fraction: to repeat indefinitely. · One-third can be written in decimal form as 0.3333 …, or point three-recurring.
Plural recur · He/she/it recurs · Past recurred · Past participle recurred · -ing form recurring
Verb forms
- Base form
- recur
- He/she/it
- recurs
- Past
- recurred
- Past participle
- recurred
- -ing form
- recurring
An irregular verb: learn its past and past participle by heart.
From the library
Unwilling as she was to admit an idea so destructive to Jane’s happiness, and so dishonourable to the stability of her lover, she could not prevent its frequently recurring.
Amazed at the alteration of his manner since they last parted, every sentence that he uttered was increasing her embarrassment; and every idea of the impropriety of her being found there recurring to her mind, the few minutes in which they continued together were some of the most uncomfortable of her life.
Again and again he recurred to the fact that if he could be assured that society was freed from Professor Moriarty he would cheerfully bring his own career to a conclusion.
The recurring words, “water pressure” and “pressure to the square inch” suggested some possible relation to a submarine.
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