Re*cess" (r&esl;*s&ebreve;s"), n. [L. recessus, fr. 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.

My recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered.

2. The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.

In the recess of the jury they are to consider the evidence.

Good verse recess and solitude requires.

3. Remission or suspension of business or procedure; intermission, as of a legislative body, court, or school.

The recess of . . . Parliament lasted six weeks.

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.

5. A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.

Departure from this happy place, our sweet
Recess, and only consolation left.

6. Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses of science. I. Watts.

7. (Bot. & Zoöl.) A sinus.

Re*cess", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Recessing.] To make a recess in; as, to recess a wall.

Re*cess", n. [G.] A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire. Brande & C.

• (countable or uncountable) a break, pause or vacation
       Spring recess offers a good chance to travel.
  
• an inset, hole, space or opening
       Put a generous recess behind the handle for finger space.
  
• In the United States, a time of play, usually, on a playground
       Students who do not listen in class will not play during recess
  
• to inset or
       Recess the screw so it does not stick out.
  
• to take or declare a break
       Class will recess for 20 minutes.