Rē'çent, a.
a. [Lat. recens, recentis, Fr. récent, Pr. recent, It. & Pg. recente, Sp. reciente.]
Sense 1. Of late origin, existence, or occurrence; not of remote date, antiquated style, or the like; not already known, familiar, worn out, trite, &c.; fresh; late; new; modern; as, recent news or intelligence.
The ancients believed some parts of Egypt to be recent, and formed by the mud discharged into the sea by the Nile. Woodward.
Sense 2. (Geol.) Of a date subsequent to the creation of man; as, recent period; recent shells. Lyell.
Syn.—Modern; new; novel; fresh; late. See MODERN.