recess

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: deferralrecessionnichecornerinletrespitebreaktime outadjournbreak up

WordNet 3.0

Noun (5)

  1. a state of abeyance or suspended businessSynonyms: deferral
  2. a small concavitySynonyms: recessionnichecorner
  3. an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)Synonyms: inlet
  4. an enclosure that is set back or indentedSynonyms: niche
  5. a pause from doing something (as work)“we took a 10-minute break”“he took time out to recuperate”Synonyms: respitebreaktime out

Verb (3)

  1. put into a recess“recess lights”
  2. make a recess in“recess the piece of wood”
  3. close at the end of a session“The court adjourned”Synonyms: adjournbreak up
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Recess \Re*cess"\ (r[-e]*s[e^]s"), n. [L. recessus, fr. recedere, recessum. See Recede.]

1.A withdrawing or retiring; a moving back; retreat; as, the recess of the tides. [1913 Webster]

Every degree of ignorance being so far a recess and degradation from rationality.— South.[1913 Webster]
My recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered.— Eikon Basilike.[1913 Webster]

2.The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy. [1913 Webster]

In the recess of the jury they are to consider the evidence.— Sir M. Hale.[1913 Webster]
Good verse recess and solitude requires.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

3.Remission or suspension of business or procedure; intermission, as of a legislative body, court, or school; as, the children were allowed to play in the school yard during recess. [1913 Webster]

The recess of . . . Parliament lasted six weeks.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

4.Part of a room formed by the receding of the wall, as an alcove, niche, etc. [1913 Webster]

A bed which stood in a deep recess.— W. Irving.[1913 Webster]

5.A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion. [1913 Webster]

Departure from this happy place, our sweet Recess, and only consolation left.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

6.Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses of science; the deepest recesses of the mind. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster +PJC]

7.(Bot. & Zool.) A sinus. [1913 Webster]

Recess \Re*cess"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Recessing.] To make a recess in; as, to recess a wall. [1913 Webster]
Recess \Re*cess"\, n. [G.] A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire. --Brande & C. [1913 Webster]
Advertisement