recessed

noun

1. temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity.
2. a period of such withdrawal.
3. a receding part or space, as a bay or alcove in a room.
4. an indentation in a line or extent of coast, hills, forest, etc.
5. recesses, a secluded or inner area or part: in the recesses of the palace.

verb (used with object)

6. to place or set in a recess.
7. to set or form as or like a recess; make a recess or recesses in: to recess a wall.
8. to suspend or defer for a recess: to recess the Senate.

verb (used without object)

9. to take a recess.

noun (rɪˈsɛs, ˈriːsɛs)

1. a space, such as a niche or alcove, set back or indented
2. (often plural) a secluded or secret placerecesses of the mind
3. a cessation of business, such as the closure of Parliament during a vacation
4. anatomy a small cavity or depression in a bodily organ, part, or structure
5. US and Canadian a break between classes at a school

verb (rɪˈsɛs)

6. (tr) to place or set (something) in a recess
7. (tr) to build a recess or recesses in (a wall, building, etc)

v.

1809, from recess (n.). Related: Recessed; recessing.

n.

1530s, “act of receding,” from Latin recessus “a going back, retreat,” from recessum, past participle of recedere “to recede” (see recede). Meaning “hidden or remote part” first recorded 1610s; that of “period of stopping from usual work” is from 1620s, probably from parliamentary notion of “recessing” into private chambers.

n.

1. A small hollow or an indented area.