recess

1. A break, pause or vacation.

   Spring recess offers a good chance to travel.

2. An inset, hole, space or opening.

   Put a generous recess behind the handle for finger space.

3. A time of play during the school day, usually on a playground; break, playtime.

   Students who do not listen in class will not play outside during recess.

4. A decree of the imperial diet of the old German empire.
5. A withdrawing or retiring; a moving back; retreat.

   the recess of the tides

6. The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.
7. A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.
8. A secret or abstruse part.

   the difficulties and recesses of science

9. A sinus.

1. To inset into something, or to recede.

   Recess the screw so it does not stick out.

2. To take or declare a break.

   Class will recess for 20 minutes.

3. To appoint, with a recess appointment.
4. To make a recess in.

   to recess a wall

adjective

Remote, distant (in time or place).