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recess

recess

20 4.3
A small hollow space set back into a wall or rock
  • noun
  • /ˈriːsɛs/
: hueco
  • Or perhaps the thief was hiding in a ledge or recess.
  • edge of the recess
  • tomb recess
  • lateral recess

There's probably more like hidden in the recesses of my brain, but yeah.

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Examples

  • The architect designed a cozy recess in the wall to hold decorative plants.

  • In the darkness of the recess, Ned fidgeted and dropped Tom Bascomb's coat on the floor.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • All it found was an echo in some remote recess of the mountains.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • And somewhere deep in the recesses of my memory something would click in and I knew what the word was.

  • The sides and rear of the tomb recess are clad with marble.

    Academic text (1992)
  • A painting of Santori hung above a mahogany cabinet in a recess to the right of the sanctuary.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • A sleepy cooing came from the recess, the occasional flutter of beating wings.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Hidden deep in the recesses of my studio, I recently found a tape recording of my Grinnell jazz concert and a photo I'd like to show you.

  • The hidden recess in the rock provided a perfect hiding spot for the animals.

  • She noticed a small recess in the pond where the water was still and clear.

Synonyms

space
vsrecess
∞ 1.0

An empty area available for use

is a physical hollow set back from a surface not merely an open area
hole
vsrecess
∞ 1.0

An opening in something, often made by people or nature

is narrower, meaning a hollow set back from a surface rather than any opening
gap
vsrecess
142 1.0

An open space between two things, like a pass in hills

is a specific kind of hollow recessed into a surface not merely an opening
pit
vsrecess
  • Specialized
86 5.3

A small hollow in a surface, often on the skin

is specifically about hollows set back from an outer face
pocket
vsrecess
61 5.5

A small hollow space inside a rock or object that can hold other material

is focused on hollows that sit back from an outer surface
nook
vsrecess
40 3.0

A small sheltered corner where you can sit or read

is more neutral and applies to any set-back hollow
alcove
vsrecess
20 5.3

A small space set back in a room for a bed or chair

is the general term for a hollow set back from a surface
indentation
vsrecess
20 3.7

A small dent in a surface that cutting or hitting causes

is the neutral term for a set-back hollow regardless of cause
inlet
vsrecess
17 3.8

A narrow part of a sea, lake, or river that reaches into the land between rocks

is usually a small hollow set back from a surface, not a water channel
hollow
vsrecess
14 3.8

A small empty space or dip in something

is specifically about hollows set back from a surface
niche
vsrecess
8 6.7

A shallow hollow in a wall for a statue

is broader, applying to any hollow set back from a surface
recession
vsrecess
1 7.5

A small hollow in a surface that can hold water

has identical meaning but is the common term for that small hollow
indenture
vsrecess
  • Archaic
1 9.2

A curved cut or hollow in a coastline, like a small bay

is a general set-back hollow, not specifically a coastal feature
pharyngeal recess
vsrecess
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small pocket at the side of the throat near the opening of the ear tube

is the general physical term for a hollow set back from a surface
encoignure
vsrecess
  • Archaic
9.9

A small space where two walls meet inside a room

is more general, not limited to corner locations
pithole
vsrecess
9.8

A hole that forms when wood decays or people dig the ground

is more general, meaning any hollow recessed into a surface rather than decay formed

Compounds

pharyngeal recess
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small pocket at the side of the throat near the opening of the ear tube

How Deep

chasm
31 6.9
hollow
14 3.8
recess
20 4.3
notch
31 3.9

Surface Forms

recess singular
recesses plural

Etymology

Recess comes from the Latin parts re- 'back' and cedere 'to go'. It was a 'going back', so a recess is a part of a wall or surface that is set back from the rest and makes a hollow.