Definitions for: Recess


[n] a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate"
[n] an enclosure that is set back or indented
[n] an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
[n] a small concavity
[n] a state of abeyance or suspended business
[v] close at the end of a session; "The court adjourned"
[v] make a recess in; "recess the piece of wood"
[v] put into a recess; "recess lights"



Webster (1913) Definition: Re*cess", n. [L. recessus, fr. recedere, recessum. See
Recede.]
1. A withdrawing or retiring; a moving back; retreat; as, the
recess of the tides.

Every degree of ignorance being so far a recess and
degradation from rationality. --South.

My recess hath given them confidence that I may be
conquered. --Eikon
Basilike.

2. The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.

In the recess of the jury they are to consider the
evidence. --Sir M. Hale.

Good verse recess and solitude requires. --Dryden.

3. Remission or suspension of business or procedure;
intermission, as of a legislative body, court, or school.

The recess of . . . Parliament lasted six weeks.
--Macaulay.

4. Part of a room formed by the receding of the wall, as an
alcove, niche, etc.

A bed which stood in a deep recess. --W. Irving.

5. A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.

Departure from his happy place, our sweet Recess,
and only consolation left. --Milton.

6. Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses
of science. --I. Watts.

7. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) A sinus.


Re*cess", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recessed; p. pr. & vb.
n. Recessing.]
To make a recess in; as, to recess a wall.


Re*cess", n. [G.]
A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire.
--Brande & C.

Synonyms: adjourn, break, break up, corner, deferral, inlet, niche, niche, recession, respite, time out

See Also: abeyance, alcove, apse, apsis, bay, body of water, Bristol Channel, cease, concave shape, concavity, cove, enclosure, end, finish, fiord, fireplace, fjord, Gulf of Aegina, hearth, incurvation, incurvature, indent, lake, lay, loch, open fireplace, pause, pharyngeal recess, place, pose, position, put, Saronic Gulf, sea, set, stop, suspension, terminate, water, White Sea

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