Recess /(rē̇*sĕs")/

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

   Every degree of ignorance being so far a recess and degradation from rationality.

   My recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered.

2. The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.

   In the recess of the jury they are to consider the evidence.

   Good verse recess and solitude requires.

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.

   The recess of . . . Parliament lasted six weeks.

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

   A bed which stood in a deep recess.

5. A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.

   Departure from this happy place, our sweet Recess, and only consolation left.

6. Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses of science; the deepest recesses of the mind.
7. A sinus. (Bot. & Zool.)

imp. & p. p. Recessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Recessing

1. To make a recess in; as, to recess a wall.

1. A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire.