Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Recession

Recession (re*sesh"un) , noun

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

1.
The act of receding or withdrawing, as from a place, a claim, or a demand. — South
Mercy may rejoice upon the recessions of justice. — Jer. Taylor
2.
(Economics) A period during which economic activity, as measured by gross domestic product, declines for at least two quarters in a row in a specific country. If the decline is severe and long, such as greater than ten percent, it may be termed a depression.
3.
A procession in which people leave a ceremony, such as at a religious service.

Recession , noun

[Prefix re- + cession.]

The act of ceding back; restoration; repeated cession; as, the recession of conquered territory to its former sovereign.