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recess

n. · v.
US //ˈɹisɛs// re·cess
  1. 1 school break (n.)
    A2 Elementary American English Education

    a short period of time during the school day when children can play outside.

    a scheduled period of leisure between lessons in primary or secondary education.

    Example

    The children ran outside to play soccer as soon as recess started.

    Example

    During morning recess, the playground monitors observed a significant improvement in student social interaction following the introduction of new equipment.

    Usage

    Commonly used in North American English; British English speakers typically use 'break' or 'playtime'.
  2. 2 legislative break (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    a time when a court or parliament stops its work for a short period.

    a temporary suspension of proceedings in a legislative body or court of law.

    Example

    The judge called for a short recess so the lawyers could talk privately.

    Example

    The Senate went into recess for the summer, leaving several key pieces of legislation pending until the autumn session.
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  1. 3 an alcove (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Architecture

    a small space created by part of a wall being further back than the rest.

    a small hollow, indentation, or alcove set back from the main surface of a wall.

    Example

    We put a small bookshelf into the recess next to the fireplace.

    Example

    The architect designed a deep recess in the hallway to accommodate a floor-to-ceiling mirror without obstructing the walkway.
  2. 4 hidden parts (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    the deep, hidden, or private parts of something, like your mind.

    the remote, secret, or innermost parts of a physical space or an abstract concept like the human psyche.

    Example

    He kept his darkest fears hidden in the furthest recesses of his mind.

    Example

    Explorers ventured into the dark recesses of the cavern, discovering ancient rock formations that had never been documented.

    Teacher's tip

    Usually used in the plural form 'recesses' when referring to the mind or deep physical spaces.
  3. 5 to take a break (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal American English Law

    to stop a meeting or a court case for a short time.

    to suspend proceedings or take a formal break, particularly in a legal or governmental context.

    Example

    The committee decided to recess for lunch and meet again at two o'clock.

    Example

    The trial was recessed until Monday morning to allow the jury time to review the newly submitted evidence.
  4. 6 to set back (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Architecture

    to build or place something so that it is further back than the surface around it.

    to set a surface or object back into a wall or larger structure.

    Example

    The designer chose to recess the lights into the ceiling for a modern look.

    Example

    By recessing the windows into the thick stone walls, the builders provided natural shading from the intense midday sun.
    • inset
    • indent
Origin

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

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