Recess

n. [Lat. recessus, fr. recedere, recessum; Sp. receso, It. recesso, ricesso. See RECEDE.]

1. A withdrawing or retiring; a moving back; retirement; retreat; as, the recess of the tides. “Every degree of ignorance being so far a recess and degradation from rationality.” South.
2. A withdrawing from public business or notice; retreat; retirement.

My recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered. K. Charles. 3. The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy. In the recess of the jury, they are to consider their evidence. Hale. Good verse recess and solitude requires. Dryden. 4. Remission or suspension of business or procedure; intermission, as of a legislative body, court of justice, or school. The recess of the English Parliament lasted six weeks. Macaulay.

5. Part of a room formed by the receding of the wall, as an alcove, niche, &c. “A bed which stood in a deep recess.” W. Irving.
6. Place of retirement or secrecy; private abode.

This happy place, our sweet Recess. Milton.

7. Secret or abstruse part; as, the difficulties and recesses of science. Watts.
8. (Bot.) One of the vacant places between the lobes of leaves; a sinus.
9. [Fr. recez.] A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire. Brande.