v.
Pronunciation: ri- ' s ē d
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form: re · ced · ed ; re · ced · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin recedere to go back, from re- + cedere to go
Date: 15th century
1 a : to move back or away : WITHDRAW <a receding hairline> b : to slant backward
2 : to grow less or smaller : DIMINISH , DECREASE <a receding deficit>
synonyms RECEDE , RETREAT , RETRACT , BACK mean to move backward. RECEDE implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space <the flood waters gradually receded >. RETREAT implies withdrawal from a point or position reached < retreating soldiers>. RETRACT implies drawing back from an extended position <a cat retracting its claws>. BACK is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion < backed off on the throttle>.