Etymology Map
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Recess

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a break; a small space set back in a wall

Where does the word "recess" come from? It comes from Latin recessus, adopted directly into English (1530s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
recessus
Latin · ancient
"a going back"
from 'recedere', to go back
2
Stage 2 of 2
recess
English · 1530s
"withdrawal"
school 'recess' is American, from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Recess’s story begins in Latin: recessus meant “a going back.” From 'recedere', to go back. It reached English by 1530s as recess. School 'recess' is American, from the 1600s. Today, recess means a break; a small space set back in a wall.