recess
UK[rɪˈses]US[ˈriːses]
n
A short period of time when the formal proceedings of a court, parliament, or other official body are suspended.
n
A small space or alcove set back from the main part of a room.
n
A break between school classes, especially for play.
v
To suspend formal proceedings for a period of time.
v
To place something in a recess or alcove; to set back.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
cess
re
back, again
cess
to go, to yield
Etymology
The word "recess" entered English in the early 16th century from Latin recessus, meaning "a going back, retreat, or a hidden place," itself derived from the verb recedere ("to go back, withdraw"). Recedere is a compound of the prefix re- ("back") and cedere ("to go"). The core logic of the word is a movement away or a withdrawal from activity or forward progress. This literal sense of "withdrawal" evolved into the modern meanings: a withdrawal from work (a break), a withdrawal from a main line (an alcove), and the formal withdrawal of an assembly from its proceedings.
Analysis
Structure: re (back, again) + cess (to go, to yield)
- re: A Latin prefix meaning "back" or "again."
- cess: From the Latin root cess-, the past participial stem of cedere, meaning "to go, to withdraw, to yield."
Examples
The judge called for a brief recess to review the new evidence.
The television was built into a recess in the living room wall.
The children ran outside to play as soon as the recess bell rang.