All 3 Uses of
recede
in
For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Then came a new and louder droning roar and three more Heinkel one-elevens showed coming steeply, stiffly, lower yet, crossing in rigid formation, their pounding roar approaching in crescendo to an absolute of noise and then receding as they passed the clearing.†
Chpt 8
- He could still hear the receding drone.†
Chpt 8 *
- A cloud of smoke drifted over the last ridge that he could see in the high country and the planes were three steadily receding specks in the sky.†
Chpt 28
Definition:
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(recede) to move away or diminish (become less)The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example:
- "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away
- "Her fear receded." -- diminished
- "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away
- "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention
- "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead)
- "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)