life's encyclopedia

Wikipedia says:

"Recess is a general term for a period of time in which a group of people is temporarily dismissed from its duties. In parliamentary procedure, "recess" refers to legislative bodies—such as parliament, assemblies, juries — that are released to reassemble at a later time. This is used as an alternative to adjournment. Under the commonly used Robert's Rules of Order, a motion to recess may not be called when another person has the floor, is not reconsiderable, and requires a second and a majority vote."

HMMM. duties.