recess
Syllables: re·cessUK/ɹɪˈsɛs//ˈɹiˌsɛs/
recess noun: a depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening.
Noun
recess (countable and uncountable, plural recesses)
- A depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening.
- Put a generous recess behind the handle for finger space.
- [T]he Sun, the great eye of the vvorld, prying into the receſſes of rocks, and the hollovvneſſe of valleys, receives ſpecies, or viſible forms from theſe objects, but he beholds them onely by that light vvhich proceeds from himſelf: […]1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, “[XXVIII Sermons Preached at Golden Grove; Being for the Summer Half-year, […].] Sermon V. The Invalidity of a Late, or Deathbed Repentance.”, in ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course...
- A small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest; a niche.
- [T]he Harmony, Proportion and Beauty of Buildings are equally admirable, vvhether they be executed in plain Free-ſtone, or the moſt beautiful Marble; vvhether the Carvings or Mouldings be gilt or not; the Receſſes or Panels in the VValls be curiouſly painted, or only plaiſter'd.1742, [Daniel Defoe], “Letter II. Containing a Description of the City of London, as Taking in the City of Westminster, Borough of Southwark, and the Buildings Circumjacent.”, in A Tour thro’ the...
- My uncle now clambered on top of the half score of mattresses which form a French bed, and which stood in a deep recess; […]1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “The Adventure of My Uncle”, in Tales of a Traveller, part 1 (Strange Stories. […]), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea...
- The place in a prison where the communal lavatories are located.
- A hidden, innermost, or inaccessible place or part of a place.
- The recesses of the forest answered well the purposes of concealment, and Lucy was useful both as an unsuspected messenger, and also for the intelligence she was able to obtain.1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter III, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 18
- [I]n the recesses of the palace her mysterious figure was at once invisible and omnipresent.1921, Lytton Strachey, “Lord Melbourne”, in Queen Victoria, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, section II, page 55
- A place of retirement, retreat, or seclusion.
- [U]s hitherto this Corner and ſecret receſſe hath defended, novv the Vttermoſt point of our Land is laid open: and things the leſſe they haue beene vvithin knovvledge, the greater the glorie is to atchieue them.1611, Iohn Speed [i.e., John Speed], “Flavius Domitian”, in The History of Great Britaine under the Conquests of yͤ Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans. […], London: […] William Hall and John Beale...
- [T]hy tidings bring, / Departure from this happy place, our ſweet / Receſs, and onely conſolation left / Familiar to our eyes, all places elſe / Inhoſpitable appeer and deſolate, […]1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
- An obscure, remote, or secret situation.
- the difficulties and recesses of science
- […] Momus […] ſeeing in the frame of mans heart, ſuch Angles and receſſes, founde fault there vvas not a vvindovve to looke into them: […]1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for...
- A temporary stoppage of an activity; a break, a pause.
- Spring recess offers a good chance to travel.
- A period of time when the proceedings of a committee, court of law, parliament, or other official body are temporarily suspended.
- After the Easter recess, Sir George Lynn, who was lately elected member for Millcote, will have to go up to town and take his seat; […]1847 October 16, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], chapter II, in Jane Eyre. […], volume II, London: Smith, Elder, and Co., […], →OCLC, page 35
- The recess of the English Parliament lasted six weeks.1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter I, in The History of England from the Accession of James II, volume I, London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC, page 98
- A time away from studying during the school day for a meal or recreation.
- Students who do not listen in class will not play outside during recess.
- An act of retiring or withdrawing; a moving back.
- the recess of the tides
- And his Receſſe from the Church, ye proffe not othervviſe, than by the Fame and comon Opinion of thoſe Parts; […]1536 July 22 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Cuthbert Tunstall, “A Collection of Records, Letters, and Original Papers; With Other Instruments Referr’d to in the Former History. Number 52. A...
- A decree or resolution of the diet of the Holy Roman Empire or the Hanseatic League.
- Conformably to this a receſs [the Recess of Augsburg] vvas framed, approved of, and publiſhed vvith the uſual formalities. […] Such are the capital articles in this famous Receſs, vvhich is the baſis of religious peace in Germany, […]1769, William Robertson, “Book XI”, in The History of the Reign of the Emperor Charles V. […], volume III, London: […] W. and W. Strahan, for W[illiam] Strahan, T[homas] Cadell, […]; and J. Balfour...
- Besides the fundamental laws and the capitulations, the constitution of the Empire was contained in the Recesses or collections of Decrees of the Diet, which was the general legislative body of the whole Federal union; […]1842, [Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux], “The Germanic Empire”, in Political Philosophy. […], London: Society [for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge], […]; Chapman and Hall, […], →OCLC...
- An act of retiring or withdrawing from public life, society, etc.; also, an act of living in retirement or seclusion, or a period of such retirement or seclusion.
- First we went to the Castle of St. Elmo, built on a very high rock, whence we had an intire prospect of yᵉ whole Citty, which lyes in shape of a theatre upon the sea brinke, with all the circumjacent islands, as far as Capreæ, famous for the debauched recesses of Tiberius.1645 February 9 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 31 January 1645]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition...
- The ſoft Receſſes of Your Hours improve / The Three fair Pledges of Your Happy Love: […]1700, [John] Dryden, “To Her Grace the Dutchess of Ormond”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 44
- Leisure, relaxation.
- It [Rome] is divided into 14 Regions or Wards; has 7 Mountaines, and as may Campi or Vally's; in these are faire Parks or Gardens call'd Villas, being onely places of recesse and pleasure, at some distance from the streetes, yet within the walls.1645 May 15 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 6 May 1645]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I...
- A small part of this subject many years since had dropped from my pen; but looking, at some opportunities, upon the argument, I thought some things more considerable might be deduced; and applying myself further, at times of recess, I felt it grow and multiply under my imagination: […]1659, James Shirley, “Honoria and Mammon: To the Candid Reader”, in William Gifford, Alexander Dyce, editors, The Dramatic Works and Poems of James Shirley, […], volume VI, London: John Murray, […]...
- The state of being withdrawn.
- Good Verſe, receſs and Solitude requires: / And Eaſe from Cares, and undiſturb'd Deſires.1695, C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, “Observations on the Art of Painting of Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy”, in John Dryden, transl., De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn]...
- A departure from a norm or position.
- This, part of METAPHISICKE: I doe not finde laboured and performed, vvhereat I maruaile not, Becauſe I hold it not poſſible to bee inuented by that courſe of inuention vvhich hath beene vſed, in regard that men (vvhich is the Roote of all error) haue made too untimely a departure, and to[o] remote...1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for...
- The external maladies are. 1. Tumours, vvhich are receſſes of the parts of mans body, from the natural ſtate, […]1661, Robert Lovell, “Anthropologia, &c. Of Man. &c.”, in ΠΑΝΖΩΟΡΥΚΤΟΛΟΓΙΑ [PANZŌORYKTOLOGIA]. Sive Panzoologicomineralogia. Or A Compleat History of Animals and Minerals, Containing the Summe of All...
- A time interval during which something ceases; an interruption, a respite.
- But in the end (as Perſons capable of reaſon) on both ſides they made rather a kind of Receſſe, then a Breach of Treaty, and concluded vpon a Truce for ſome moneths follovving.1622, Francis, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban [i.e. Francis Bacon], The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh, […], London: […] W[illiam] Stansby for Matthew Lownes, and William Barret...
- But ſo the Fates, for Puniſhment ordain'd, / The ſmall Receſs the vveary Land obtain'd; / So little Breath to riſing Freedom gave, / 'Tvvas hard to knovv the Subject from the Slave.1706, [Daniel Defoe], “Book X”, in Jure Divino: A Satyr. […], London: [P. Hills?], →OCLC, page 229
- An overall-concave, reentrant section of a sinuous fold and thrust belt, thrust sheet, or a single thrust fault, caused by one or more of: deformation (folding and faulting) of strata and geologic structures during orogenesis, differences in the angle of critical taper during orogenesis, or differing erosional level of the present geomorphological surface.
- Orogenic arcs are made up by more advanced segments (salients) separated by less advanced zones (recesses) (Miser, 1932). Within salients, the critical taper is lower, the distance among thrust ramps is larger, and there may be more ramps departing from the basal décollement layer with respect to...2018 April 17, Michele Livani, Davide Scrocca, Paola Arecco, Carlo Doglioni, “Structural and Stratigraphic Control on Salient and Recess Development Along a Thrust Belt Front: The Northern Apennines...
- Antonyms:
- salient
- An extension or outpouching of a cavity (e.g. articular recess, peritoneal recess,...)
Adjective
recess (comparative more recess, superlative most recess)
- Of a place or time: distant, remote.
- […] I ſhould think it beſt in the ſubſequent diſcourſes to begin to examine vvhether the Earth be eſteemed immoveable, as it hath been till novv believed by moſt men, or elſe moveable, as ſome ancient Philoſophers held, and others of not very receſſe times vvere of opinion; and if it be moveable...1661, Galilæus Galilæus Lyncæus [i.e., Galileo Galilei], “The Systeme of the World: In Four Dialogues. […]. The Second Dialogue.”, in Thomas Salusbury, transl., Mathematical Collections and...
Verb
recess (third-person singular simple present recesses, present participle recessing, simple past and past participle recessed)
- To position (something) a distance behind another thing; to set back.
- His house stood recessed from the road, and the stables, which are to a farm what a fireplace is to a house, were behind, their lower portions being lost amid bushes of laurel.1874, Thomas Hardy, “Boldwood in Meditation—A Visit”, in Far from the Madding Crowd. […], volume I, London: Smith, Elder & Co., […], →OCLC, page 199
- It will also enable slower-moving freight trains to be recessed in the new down goods loop to await, if necessary, a suitable margin before proceeding to Stafford or Stoke and so reduce confliction with other main-line trains.1962 January, “Talking of Trains: Track Re-arrangement at Colwich”, in Modern Railways, Shepperton, Surrey: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 10
- To make a recess (noun senses 1 and 1.1) in (something).
- to recess a wall
- Often preceded by in or into: to inset (something) into a recess or niche.
- That gargoyle recesses into the rest of architecture.
- Recess the screw so it does not stick out.
- To conceal, to hide.
- Get near fat Mr. Dutton, and behind the screen of his prodigious elbow, you will be comfortably recessed from curious impertinents.1808 (date written), [Maria] Edgeworth, “Manœuvring. Chapter XII.”, in Tales of Fashionable Life, volume III, London: […] [S. Hamilton] for J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1809, →OCLC, page 292
- To temporarily suspend (a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.).
- When Congress is recessed, he makes himself acquainted with those free United States, of which he is the gifted son.1842 December – 1844 July, Charles Dickens, “In which the Travellers Move Homeward, and Encounter Some Distinguished Characters upon the Way”, in The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, London...
- To make a recess appointment in respect of (someone).
- 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 [Barack] Obama hasn't made a recess appointment. […] "The President's view of his own power is a constrained one," says White...2013 January 14, Michael Grunwald, “Cliff Dweller”, in Time, volume 181, number 1, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 27, column 3
- Of a meeting, the proceedings of an official body, etc.: to adjourn, to take a break.
- Class will recess for 20 minutes.
- The meeting was recessed at midday.
- Of an official body: to suspend proceedings for a period of time.
- This court shall recess for its lunch break now.
- The court recessed early for the weekend.
Proper noun capitalized: Recess
Recess
recess meaning in Tamil, Urdu, Bengali and Malayalam
recess in Tamil
- இடைவேளை, ஓய்வு
recess in Urdu
- recess
- تعطیل ta'tīl
recess in Bengali
- recess; leisure; escape, exemption; release; relief
- ছুট chuṭ
recess in Malayalam
- വിരാമം, ഒഴിവുസമയം, രഹസ്യസ്ഥലം
More languagesFewer languages
- recess in Kannada
- ಬಿಡುವು, ತೂತು, ಕಂಡಿ, ರಜೆ
- recess in Arabic
- فُسْحَة fusḥa, اِسْتِرَاحَة istirāḥa, رَدْب radb
- recess in Malay
- istirahat
- recess in Indonesian
- reses
- recess in Persian
- زنگ تفریح zang-e tafrih
Examples of recess in a sentence
- VVithin a Mountain's hollovv VVomb, there lies / A large Receſs, conceal'd from Human Eyes; […]1697, Virgil, “The Fourth Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and...
- VVithin a long Receſs there lies a Bay, / An Iſland ſhades it from the rovvling Sea, […]1697, Virgil, “The First Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis....
- His dvvelling a receſs in ſome rude rock, / Book, beads, and maple-diſh his meagre ſtock, […]1781 (date written), William Cowper, “Truth”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1782, →OCLC, page 77:
- The Liner train wagon is a simple underframe on bogies, with coned location points that engage recesses in the container bases.1964 April, G[eoffrey] Freeman Allen, “The BRB Shows Traders the Liner Train Prototypes”, in Modern Railways, volume 19, number 187...
Synonyms of recess
29 more synonymsFewer synonyms
Antonyms
Forms of recess
| Noun | |
|---|---|
| plural | recesses |
| Adjective | |
| comparative | more recess |
| superlative | most recess |
| Verb | |
| third-person singular present | recesses |
| present participle | recessing |
| past participle | recessed |
| past | recessed |
Origin of recess
The noun is borrowed from Latin recessus (“act of going back, departure, receding, retiring; (figuratively) retreat, withdrawal; (metonymically) distant, secluded, or secret spot, corner, nook, retreat; recessed part, indentation”) (also Late Latin recessus (“decree or resolution of the Diet of the Holy Roman Empire”)), from recēdō (“to go back, recede, retire, withdraw; to go away, depart; (by extension) to disappear, vanish; to separate; to stand back, be distant; to yield”) (from re- (prefix meaning ‘back, backwards’) + cēdō (“to go, move, proceed”)) + -tus (suffix forming action nouns from verbs); influenced by Middle French recès, French recès (“a break, pause; break between classes in school; school vacation; ebbing of tide; reduction”) (also Anglo-Norman recès and Old French recès (“hiding place; hollow”). Noun sense 5 (“decree or resolution of the diet of the Holy Roman Empire, etc.”) is possibly influenced by Italian recesso and refers to a decree or resolution made just before a meeting ends. The adjective and verb are derived from the noun. Cognates * Catalan recés * Italian recesso * Middle French recès (modern French recès) * Portuguese recesso * Spanish receso
Words formed from recess
Phrases with recess
Words that rhyme with recess
48 more rhymesFewer rhymes
- success
- compress
- largesse
- ness
- profess
- confess
- distress
- regress
- depress
- excess
- guess
- prepossess
- undress
- CBS
- ingress
- oppress
- redress
- transgress
- assess
- cess
- duress
- fess
- fluoresce
- Hesse
- less
- mayoress
- obsess
- tress
- unless
- yes
- accresce
- acquiesce
- aggress
- BESS
- caress
- clothes press
- congress
- defervesce
- digress
- ess
- foulness
- Hess
- intumesce
- jess
- lazy S
- liquesce
- repress
- second-guess
Questions about recess
- What does recess mean?
- Recess means a depressed, hollow, or indented space; also, a hole or opening.
- What is recess in Tamil?
- Recess in Tamil is இடைவேளை, ஓய்வு. See Recess meaning in Tamil.
- How do you use recess in a sentence?
- VVithin a Mountain's hollovv VVomb, there lies / A large Receſs, conceal'd from Human Eyes; […]
- What part of speech is recess?
- Recess can be a noun, an adjective, a verb or a proper noun.
- How do you pronounce recess?
- Recess is pronounced /ɹɪˈsɛs/ (UK).
- What is the plural of recess?
- The plural of recess is recesses.
Words near recess in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: recess (page history and authors); Recess (page history and authors); recess (Tamil Wiktionary) (page history and authors); تعطیل (Urdu) (page history and authors); ছুট (Bengali) (page history and authors); recess (Malayalam Wiktionary) (page history and authors); recess (Kannada Wiktionary) (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: En-us-recess.ogg, En-au-recess.ogg.
Cite this entry: “recess.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/recess. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.