Webster's English Dictionary

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recede

1. re.cede \ri-'se-d\ vi [L recedere to go back, fr. re- + cedere to go - 
   more at MCEDE 1a: to move back away : WITHDRAW  1b: to slant backward  2: 
   to grow less : CONTRACT K mean to move backward. RECEDE implies a 
   withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space; RETREAT 
   implies withdrawal from a point or position reached; RETROGRADE implies 
   movement contrary to a normally progressive direction; RETRACT implies 
   drawing back from an extended position; BACK is used, with up, down, out, 
   off, interchangeably with any of the others SYN syn RECEDE, RETREAT, 
   RETROGRADE, RETRACT, BAC 
2. re.cede \(')re--'se-d\ vt [re- + cede] : to cede back