Definition

1. Noun:
   • A detailed spoken account or description: A "recital" is the act of telling or listing something in detail, often item by item.
   • A public performance of music or dance, typically by a soloist or small group: In the arts, a "recital" is a formal performance where a musician, dancer, or small ensemble presents a program of works.
   • The act of reciting something memorized: A "recital" can also refer to the performance of reciting a prepared text, such as a poem or passage, from memory.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Detailed Account):
  • He endured a long recital of his mistakes.
  • She gave a tedious recital of everything she had bought that day.
• Noun (Musical/Dance Performance):
  • The pianist's solo recital at the concert hall was sold out.
  • We attended our daughter's violin recital.
• Noun (Act of Reciting):
  • The child's recital of the poem was flawless.
  • The program included a recital of famous speeches.

Advanced Usage

• "To give a recital of": To provide a detailed, often lengthy, listing or description of events or facts.
  • The witness gave a recital of the events leading to the accident.
• In a legal context: The preliminary section of a legal document that states the relevant facts or background.
  • The contract's recital outlined the history of the agreement.

Variants and Related Words

• Recite (verb): To say aloud a piece of writing or list from memory or a text.
  • He was asked to recite the alphabet.
• Recitation (noun): The action of reciting a memorized text; a class period for oral practice, especially of a language.
  • The poetry recitation competition was intense.

Synonyms

• Narration: The act of telling a story or giving an account.
• Enumeration: The action of mentioning a number of things one by one.
• Performance: An act of presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment.
• Reading: An occasion where pieces of literature are read to an audience.

Related Phrases

• Recital hall: A venue designed for solo or chamber music performances.
  • The recital hall has excellent acoustics.
• Recital program: The printed list of pieces to be performed in a recital.
  • She studied the recital program before the concert began.

Related Idioms

• "A recital of woes": A long, detailed list of complaints or misfortunes.
  • His letter was just a recital of woes about his job and health.

Noun

1. a detailed account or description of something
   • he was forced to listen to a recital of his many shortcomings
2. a detailed statement giving facts and figures
   • his wife gave a recital of his infidelities
3. a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance
   • the program included songs and recitations of well-loved poems
4. performance of music or dance especially by soloists
5. the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
   • his narration was hesitant