As a verb, recount can mean either "tell the story of" or "add up again." As a noun, recount usually refers to the second (or third or fourth) tallying of votes in a close election.

The word count comes from the old French conter, which means "add up" or "tell a story." Here's a story to recount (narrate): In an election featuring Count Dracula and Count Johnson, Dracula wins by two votes, so Johnson demands a recount (an adding up of the votes again). The officials recount (count again) the votes, and this time find Count Johnson the winner. Dracula threatens to bite the officials and they quickly change their minds.

Definitions of recount
  1. verb
    narrate or give a detailed account of
    synonyms: narrate, recite, tell
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    give an account of
    tell spontaneously
    tell or spin a yarn
    rhapsodise, rhapsodize
    recite a rhapsody
    type of:
  2. verb
    count again
    “We had to recount all the votes after an accusation of fraud was made”
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    type of:
    count, enumerate, number, numerate
    determine the number or amount of
  3. noun
    an additional (usually a second) count; especially of the votes in a close election
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    type of:
    count, counting, enumeration, numeration, reckoning, tally
    the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
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