iterate

Definition

To perform or repeat an action on each item in a set.

Etymology

The adjective is first attested in 1471, in Middle English, the verb in 1533, the noun in 1941; partly inherited from Middle English iterat(e) (adjective), partly borrowed from Latin iterātus, perfect passive participle of iterō (“to do something for a second time, repeat”) (see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3)) , from iterum (“again”) + -ō. Sporadical participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.

Example Sentences

• "The max() function iterates through the data to find the highest value."
• "In mathematics, an iterated function is a function which is composed with itself, possibly ad infinitum, in a process called iteration."
• "to iterate advice"

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