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| re·cess [ r sèss, ri séss ] |
noun (plural re·cess·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. break from classes: a break from classes during the school day or year
  played hopscotch during recess
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2. break from business: a time during which no work or business is done, specifically a long period in which a legislative body is not sitting or a short break during court proceedings
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3. remote place: a remote or secluded place
(
often used in the plural
)
A distant memory haunted the recesses of her mind.
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4. indented or hollowed-out space: an area set into a wall or other flat surface, e.g. an alcove or niche
a recess large enough to hold a vase
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5. anatomy body cavity: a concave area or cavity in a part of the body
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verb (past and past participle re·cessed, present participle re·cess·ing, 3rd person present singular re·cess·es) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb suspend proceedings: to take a break or suspend proceedings or work
The meeting was recessed at midday.
The court recessed early for the weekend.
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2. transitive verb put something in recess: to put something in a recess, especially in a wall
recessed lighting
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3. transitive verb make indentation in something: to make a recess in something, especially a wall
The north wall of the chamber has been recessed to form an alcove.
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| [Mid-16th century. Directly or via French< Latin recessus "going back" < recedere "go back"] |
