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intr.v. re·ced·ed, re·ced·ing, re·cedes 1. To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark: waited for the floodwaters to recede. 2. To slope away from a point of reference: a man with a chin that recedes. 3. To become or seem to become more distant and fainter or less distinct: Eventually, my unhappy memories of the place receded. 4. To decrease or diminish: Fuel prices will recede after the holiday. [Middle English receden, from Old French receder, from Latin recēdere : re-, re- + cēdere, to go; see ked- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Synonyms: recede1, ebb, retract, retreat These verbs mean to move backward or away from a limit or position: a glacier that has receded; waters that ebb at low tide; a turtle that retracted into its shell; an army that retreated to avoid defeat. Antonym: advance |
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