recess

 
Pronunciation: /rɪˈsɛs, ˈriːsɛs/

noun

  • 1a small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest: a table set into a recess
  • a hollow space inside something: the concrete block has a recess in its base
  • (usually recesses) a remote, secluded, or secret place: the recesses of the silent pine forest figurative the dark recesses of his soul
  • 2a period of time when the proceedings of a parliament, committee, court of law, or other official body are temporarily suspended: talks resumed after a month’s recess Parliament was in recess
  • chiefly North American a break between school classes: the mid-morning recess

verb

  • 1 [with object] (often as adjective recessed) attach (a fitment) by setting it back into the wall or surface to which it is fixed: recessed ceiling lights
  • 2 [no object] chiefly North American (of formal proceedings) be temporarily suspended: the talks recessed at 2.15
  • [with object] suspend (formal proceedings) temporarily: the trial was recessed for the weekend
  • (of an official body) suspend its proceedings for a period of time: Parliament recessed for the summer on Tuesday

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'withdrawal, departure'): from Latin recessus, from recedere 'go back' (see recede). The verb dates from the early 19th century

Spelling help

Spell recess with a single c and a double s.