(recesses, recessing, recessed)
1.
A recess is a break between the periods of work of an official body such as a committee, a court of law, or a government.
The conference broke for a recess...
N-COUNT: also in/from N
2.
When formal meetings or court cases recess, they stop temporarily. (FORMAL)
The hearings have now recessed for dinner...
Before the trial recessed today, the lawyer read her opening statement.
VERB: V for n, V
3.
In a room, a recess is part of a wall which is built further back than the rest of the wall. Recesses are often used as a place to put furniture such as shelves.
...a discreet recess next to a fireplace.
N-COUNT
4.
The recesses of something or somewhere are the parts of it which are hard to see because light does not reach them or they are hidden from view.
He emerged from the dark recesses of the garage...
N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp
5.
If you refer to the recesses of someone's mind or soul, you are referring to thoughts or feelings they have which are hidden or difficult to describe.
There was something in the darker recesses of his unconscious that was troubling him.
N-COUNT: usu pl, usu with supp