I. ri-ˈsēd intransitive verb
( 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
II. (ˌ)rē-ˈsēd transitive verb
Etymology: re- + cede
Date: 1771
: to cede back to a former possessor