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recess - 9 dictionary results

re⋅cess

  [ri-ses, ree-ses]
Use recess in a Sentence
–noun
1. temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity.
2. a period of such withdrawal.
3. a receding part or space, as a bay or alcove in a room.
4. an indentation in a line or extent of coast, hills, forest, etc.
5. recesses, a secluded or inner area or part: in the recesses of the palace.
–verb (used with object)
6. to place or set in a recess.
7. to set or form as or like a recess; make a recess or recesses in: to recess a wall.
8. to suspend or defer for a recess: to recess the Senate.
–verb (used without object)
9. to take a recess.
Origin:
1510–20; < L recessus a withdrawal, receding part, equiv. to recēd(ere) to recede 1 + -tus suffix of v. action, with dt > ss

Synonyms:
1. respite, rest, break, vacation.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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re·cess   (rē'sěs', rĭ-sěs')   
n.  
    1. A temporary cessation of the customary activities of an engagement, occupation, or pursuit.
    2. The period of such cessation. See Synonyms at pause.
    3. An indentation or small hollow.
    4. An alcove.
  2. A remote, secret, or secluded place. Often used in the plural.
    1. An indentation or small hollow.
    2. An alcove.
v.   re·cessed, re·cess·ing, re·cess·es

v.   tr.
  1. To place in a recess.
  2. To create or fashion a recess in: recessed a portion of the wall.
  3. To suspend for a recess: The committee chair recessed the hearings.
v.   intr.
To take a recess: The investigators recessed for lunch.

[Latin recessus, retreat, from past participle of recēdere, to recede; see recede1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Recess

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 The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.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.

Recess

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

Recess

Re*cess"\, n. [G.] A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire. --Brande & C.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : recess
Spanish: hueco, nicho,
German: die Nische,
Japanese: 奥
More Translations »

recess 
1531, "act of receding," from L. recessus "a going back, retreat," from recessum, pp. of recedere "to recede" (see recede). Meaning "hidden or remote part" first recorded 1616; that of "period of stopping from usual work" is from 1620, probably from parliamentary notion of "recessing" into private chambers. The verb is from 1809.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: re·cess
Pronunciation: 'rE-"ses, ri-'ses
Function: noun
: a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session —recess verb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: re·cess
Pronunciation: 'rE-"ses, ri-'
Function: noun
: an anatomical depression or cleft : FOSSA
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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recess re·cess (rē'sěs', rĭ-sěs')
n.
A small hollow or an indented area.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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