recess

views updated May 29 2018

re·cess / ˈrēˌses; riˈses/ • n. 1. a small space created by building part of a wall further back from the rest: a table set into a recess. ∎  a hollow space inside something: the concrete block has a recess in its base. ∎  (usu. recesses) a remote, secluded, or secret place: the recesses of the silent pine forest | fig. the dark recesses of his soul. 2. a period of time when the proceedings of a parliament, committee, court of law, or other official body are temporarily suspended: talks resumed after a month's recess the Senate was in recess. ∎  a break between school classes: the mid-morning recess.• v. 1. [tr.] [often as adj.] (recessed) attach (a fitment) by setting it back into the wall or surface to which it is fixed: recessed ceiling lights.2. [intr.] (of formal proceedings) be temporarily suspended: the talks recessed at 2:15. ∎  [tr.] suspend (such proceedings) temporarily. ∎  (of an official body) suspend its proceedings for a period of time.

Recess

views updated May 18 2018

RECESS

In the practice of courts, a brief interval during which all business is suspended without an adjournment.

A recess in legislative practice is an interval of time between sessions of the same continuous body, as opposed to the period between the final adjournment of one legislative body and the convening of another at the next regular session.

recess

views updated May 21 2018

recess (ri-ses) n. (in anatomy) a hollow chamber or a depression in an organ or other part.