recess Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a state of abeyance or suspended business
deferral.
noun a small concavity
recession; corner; niche.
noun an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
inlet.
noun an enclosure that is set back or indented
niche.
noun a pause from doing something (as work)
break; time out; respite.
- we took a 10-minute break
- he took time out to recuperate
verb put into a recess
- recess lights
verb make a recess in
- recess the piece of wood
verb close at the end of a session
adjourn; break up.
- The court adjourned

L. recessus, fr. recedere, recessum. See Recede.

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.
The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.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.
Remission or suspension of business or procedure; intermission, as of a legislative body, court, or school.
The recess of . . . Parliament lasted six weeks. Macaulay.
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.
A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.
Departure from his happy place, our sweet Recess, and only consolation left. Milton.
Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses of science. I. Watts.
(Bot. & Zoöl.) A sinus.

imperfect & past participle Recessed; present participle & verbal noun Recessing