recede

Recede is a verb meaning to move back or away from a previous position, to withdraw, or to become more distant. It is used for physical movement, such as water, landforms, or objects, and for abstract things such as memories, emotions, or attention. For example, the tide receded after the storm; the coastline has receded over decades; her hairline began to recede with age.

Origin and usage: Recede derives from Latin recedēre, from re- "back" + cedere "to go." It is primarily intransitive, describing movement or withdrawal without a direct object, as in "the water receded." It can be followed by prepositional phrases such as "recede from the shore" or "recede into the background."

Contexts: In geography, coastlines and glaciers recede as they retreat due to erosion, sea-level changes, or warming climates. In dentistry, gingival recession refers to the backward movement of gum tissue, exposing tooth roots. In everyday speech, memories, fears, or attention can recede, meaning they become less prominent or distant with time.

Notes: Recede is opposite to advance or approach. The related noun forms include recession (as in an economic downturn) and receding (the act or state of receding). The phrase "to recede into the background" is a common idiom describing something withdrawing from attention or visibility.