*recant*

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Recanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Recanting. ] [ L. recantare, recantatum, to recall, recant; pref. re- re- + cantare to sing, to sound. See 3d Cant, Chant. ] To withdraw or repudiate formally and publicly (opinions formerly expressed); to contradict, as a former declaration; to take back openly; to retract; to recall. [ 1913 Webster ]

How soon . . . ease would recant
Vows made in pain, as violent and void! Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To retract; recall; revoke; abjure; disown; disavow. See Renounce. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To revoke a declaration or proposition; to unsay what has been said; to retract; as, convince me that I am wrong, and I will recant. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of recanting; a declaration that contradicts a former one; that which is thus asserted in contradiction; retraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

The poor man was imprisoned for this discovery, and forced to make a public recantation. Bp. Stillingfleet. [ 1913 Webster ]