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. South. My recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered. Eikon Basilike.
The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy. In the recess of the jury they are to consider the evidence. Sir M. Hale. Good verse recess and solitude requires. Dryden.
Remission or suspension of business or procedure; intermission, as of a legislative body, court, or school. The recess of . . . Parliament lasted six weeks. Macaulay.
Part of a room formed by the receding of the wall, as an alcove, niche, etc. A bed which stood in a deep recess. W. Irving.
A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion. Departure from his happy place, our sweet Recess, and only consolation left. Milton.
Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses of science. I. Watts.
A sinus.
To make a recess in; as, to recess a wall.
A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire. Brande & C.
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