recede

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈsiːd/

verb

[no object]
  • 1go or move back or further away from a previous position: the floodwaters had receded his footsteps receded down the corridor
  • (usually as adjective receding) (of a facial feature) slope backwards: a slightly receding chin
  • (recede from) archaic withdraw from (a promise or agreement): he felt no inclination to recede from the agreement into which he had entered
  • 2(of a quality, feeling, or possibility) gradually diminish: the prospects of an early end to the war receded
  • 3(of a man’s hair) cease to grow at the temples and above the forehead: his dark hair was receding a little (as adjective receding) a receding hairline

Origin:

late 15th century (in the sense 'depart from a usual state or standard'): from Latin recedere, from re- 'back' + cedere 'go'

Spelling help

Remember that recede ends with -cede.