Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Recess \Re*cess"\, 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.         --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 The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.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.

            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 his happy place, our sweet Recess,
            and only consolation left.            --Milton.

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

   7. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) A sinus.

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

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

Source : WordNet®

recess
     n 1: a state of abeyance or suspended business [syn: {deferral}]
     2: a small concavity [syn: {recession}, {niche}, {corner}]
     3: an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky
        headlands) [syn: {inlet}]
     4: an enclosure that is set back or indented [syn: {niche}]
     5: a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute
        break"; "he took time out to recuperate" [syn: {respite},
        {break}, {time out}]
     v 1: put into a recess; "recess lights"
     2: make a recess in; "recess the piece of wood"
     3: close at the end of a session; "The court adjourned" [syn: {adjourn},
         {break up}]