recessional
recessional Lexical Profile
recessional Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A hymn or piece of music played or sung as the clergy, choir, or wedding party formally exits at the conclusion of a service or ceremony.
"The organist played a joyful recessional as the newlyweds walked back down the aisle."
The formal withdrawal or exit of the participants at the end of a religious service, wedding, or academic ceremony.
"The graduates remained standing at their seats until the faculty completed the recessional."
• adjective
Relating to or sung during a formal recession, such as the ceremonial exit of clergy and choir at the conclusion of a religious service.
"The choir practiced the recessional hymn until their timing matched the pace of the departing clergy."
Relating to, caused by, or marking a physical recession, such as the retreat of a glacier or the outward movement of astronomical bodies.
"Geologists mapped the recessional moraines to determine how quickly the ancient ice sheet had melted."
Relating to a period of economic recession or a legislative recess.
"The industry struggled to recover from the recessional pressures that had reduced consumer spending."
• Rhymes for recessional
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-19th century from 'recession' plus the adjectival suffix '-al', modeled directly after 'processional'. 'Recession' traces back to the Latin 'recessio', meaning a going back or receding, from the verb 'recedere'.