rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: re-
Latin

re-

back, again; restoration or reversal

Forms

  • re-
  • red- — An early Latin form used before vowels and h.

Origin

Its ancestry before Latin is uncertain.

Note

In some old compounds the prefix adds emphasis, while in others its separate contribution has become unclear.

31 / 284
noun / verb

recess

REE-sess/ˈriːses/

A temporary break from an activity.

The children enjoy recess outside the classroom, playing and talking together.

Three schoolchildren enjoy a break outside the classroom, one hops across a chalk hopscotch grid with no numbers while two chat nearby, open school doorway behind; small playground fragment.
Etymology
reLatinback, again; restoration or reversal
+cessLatingo, move; withdraw or yield

The original image is going back or withdrawing. Its use for a pause in work probably arose from the parliamentary practice of withdrawing into private chambers, turning physical retreat into a temporary suspension of proceedings.

In context

Storytime Haven77:05
It was at recess and all the girls, big and little, were out on the road in front of the school making dust-piles.
📖 The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery | A Tale of Love & Freedom 💙✨

More examples

  • The children ran outside during recess.
  • We took a short recess after lunch.
  • The committee recessed while members reviewed the document.

Forms

recess · recesses · recessed · recessing

Similar words

break
The ordinary word for a temporary pause.
adjournment
Adjournment is a formal suspension of proceedings and may last much longer.