Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Recess

Recess (re*ses") , noun

[Latin recessus, from recedere, recessum. See Recede.]

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. — South
My recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered. — Eikon Basilike
2.
The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.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
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. — Macaulay
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. — W. Irving
5.
A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.
Departure from this happy place, our sweet Recess, and only consolation left. — Milton
6.
Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses of science; the deepest recesses of the mind. — I. Watts
7.
(Botany & Zoology) A sinus.

Recess , transitive verb

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

Recess , noun

[German]

A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire. — Brande & C