a generating of the next number or result in a series by reapplying the algorithm on which the series is based to the number or result in the series that preceded it
See recursion in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(rĭ-kûrˈzhən)
noun Mathematics
An expression, such as a polynomial, each term of which is determined by application of a formula to preceding terms.
A formula that generates the successive terms of a recursion.