To recede primarily means to move back or away, or to withdraw. It can also describe something that slopes or slants backward.
Understanding "Recede"
The word "recede" describes a movement or a physical characteristic where something withdraws, diminishes, or is oriented backward. It implies a lessening of presence, a retreat, or a particular angular alignment.
Here's a breakdown of its core meanings and common applications:
Meaning Category | Explanation | Example Applications |
---|---|---|
Movement & Withdrawal | To move back, pull away, or become more distant; to withdraw from a former position or state. | - Physical Retreat: The floodwaters began to recede from the streets. - Gradual Diminishment: The sounds of the party slowly receded as we drove away. - Loss of Presence: A receding hairline is a common sign of male pattern baldness, where the hair moves back from the forehead. - Abstract Withdrawal: Her memories of the accident started to recede over time. |
Backward Slant/Slope | To incline or slope backward. This meaning specifically refers to a physical orientation rather than a movement. | - Physical Feature: The architect designed the building with a receding upper story to create more sunlight on the street below. - Anatomical Trait: Some facial structures might feature a receding chin, where the chin slopes back toward the neck. |
Practical Insights and Usage
- Gradual Nature: "Recede" often implies a gradual process, whether it's the slow retreat of water, the fading of a sound, or the subtle change in a physical feature over time.
- Opposite of Advance: In many contexts, "recede" acts as an antonym for "advance" or "progress."
- Figurative Use: Beyond literal movement, "recede" is frequently used figuratively to describe abstract concepts becoming less prominent, clear, or important. For instance, problems might "recede" when a solution is found, or emotions can "recede" as a situation resolves.
Understanding "recede" allows one to accurately describe various situations where something is pulling back, diminishing, or is oriented in a backward direction.