Part 95

Philosophers who have quitted the popular doctrines of their countries have fallen into as extravagant opinions as even common reception countenanced.

Locke.

5. A retaking; a recovery. [Obs.] Bacon.

Re*cep"tive (r*sp"tv), a. [Cf. F. réceptif. See Receive.] Having the quality of receiving; able or inclined to take in, absorb, hold, or contain; receiving or containing; as, a receptive mind.

Imaginary space is receptive of all bodies.

Glanvill.

Re*cep"tive*ness, n. The quality of being receptive.

Rec`ep*tiv"i*ty (rs`p*tv"*t or r`sp- ), n. [Cf. F. réceptivité.] 1. The state or quality of being receptive.

2. (Kantian Philos.) The power or capacity of receiving impressions, as those of the external senses.

Re*cep"to*ry (r*sp"t*r; 277), n. [Cf. L. receptorium a place of shelter.] Receptacle. [Obs.] Holland.

Re*cess" (r*ss"), n. [L. recessus, fr. recedere, recessum. See Recede.] 1. A withdrawing or retiring; a moving back; retreat; as, the recess of the tides.

Every degree of ignorance being so far a recess and degradation from rationality.

South.

My recess hath given them confidence that I may be conquered.

Eikon Basilike.

2. The state of being withdrawn; seclusion; privacy.

In the recess of the jury they are to consider the evidence.

Sir M. Hale.

Good verse recess and solitude requires.

Dryden.

3. Remission or suspension of business or procedure; intermission, as of a legislative body, court, or school.

The recess of . . . Parliament lasted six weeks.

Macaulay.

4. Part of a room formed by the receding of the wall, as an alcove, niche, etc.

A bed which stood in a deep recess.

W. Irving.

5. A place of retirement, retreat, secrecy, or seclusion.

Departure from this happy place, our sweet Recess, and only consolation left.