Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Recede \Re*cede"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Receded}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Receding}.] [L. recedere, recessum; pref. re- re- +
   cedere to go, to go along: cf. F. rec['e]der. See {Cede}.]
   1. To move back; to retreat; to withdraw.

            Like the hollow roar Of tides receding from the
            instituted shore.                     --Dryden.

            All bodies moved circularly endeavor to recede from
            the center.                           --Bentley.

   2. To withdraw a claim or pretension; to desist; to
      relinquish what had been proposed or asserted; as, to
      recede from a demand or proposition.

   Syn: To retire; retreat; return; retrograde; withdraw;
        desist.

Recede \Re*cede"\, v. t. [Pref. re- + cede. Cf. {Recede}, v. t.]
   To cede back; to grant or yield again to a former possessor;
   as, to recede conquered territory.

Source : WordNet®

recede
     v 1: pull back or move away or backward; "The enemy withdrew";
          "The limo pulled away from the curb" [syn: {withdraw}, {retreat},
           {pull away}, {draw back}, {pull back}, {retire}, {move
          back}]
     2: move back and away from; "The enemy fell back" [syn: {fall
        back}, {retire}] [ant: {advance}]
     3: retreat [syn: {fall back}, {lose}, {drop off}, {fall behind}]
        [ant: {gain}]
     4: become faint or more distant; "the unhappy memories of her
        childhood receded as she grew older"