Recess

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈriː.sÉ›s/, /rɪ.ˈsÉ›s/

Origin

From Latin recessus.

Full definition of recess

Noun

1. (countable or uncountable) A break, pause or vacation.Spring recess offers a good chance to travel.
• MacaulayThe recess of ... Parliament lasted six weeks.
2. An inset, hole, space or opening.Put a generous recess behind the handle for finger space.
• Washington Irvinga bed which stood in a deep recess
3. (US) A time of play, usually, on a playground.Students who do not listen in class will not play outside during recess.
4. A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire.
5. (archaic) A withdrawing or retiring; a moving back; retreat.the recess of the tides
• Southevery degree of ignorance being so far a recess and degradation from rationality
• Eikon BasilikeMy recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered.
6. (archaic) The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.
• Sir M. HaleIn the recess of the jury they are to consider the evidence.
• DrydenGood verse recess and solitude requires.
7. (archaic) A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.
• MiltonDeparture from his happy place, our sweet
  Recess, and only consolation left.
8. A secret or abstruse part.the difficulties and recesses of science
9. (botany, zoology) A sinus.

Synonyms

• (a break) break, day off, pause, vacation

Derived terms

• recess appointment
• recession
• recessive

Verb

1. To inset into something, or to recede.Wow, look at how that gargoyle recesses into the rest of architecture.Recess the screw so it does not stick out.
2. (intransitive) To take or declare a break.This court shall recess for its normal two hour lunch now.Class will recess for 20 minutes.
3. (transitive, informal) To appoint, with a recess appointment.
• 2013, Michael Grunwald, "Cliff Dweller", in Time (magazine), ISSN 0040-781X, volume 181, number 1, 2013 January 14, page 27:To the National Rifle Association's delight, the Senate has hobbled the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives by failing to confirm a director since 2006, but Obama hasn't made a recess appointment.... "The President's view of his own power is a constrained one," says White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler. "Many of his nominees have languished, but he's only recessed the ones that were critical to keep agencies functioning."
4. To make a recess in.to recess a wall

Adjective

1. (obsolete, rare) Remote, distant (in time or place).Thomas Salusbury: Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems: I should think it best in the subsequent discourses to begin to examine whether the Earth be esteemed immoveable, as it hath been till now believed by most men, or else moveable, as some ancient Philosophers held, and others of not very recesse times were of opinion;

Anagrams

• screes