Recursion Definition
rĭ-kûrzhən
noun
A method of defining a sequence of objects, such as an expression, function, or set, where some number of initial objects are given and each successive object is defined in terms of the preceding objects. The Fibonacci sequence is defined by recursion.
American Heritage
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.
Webster's New World
A set of objects so defined.
American Heritage
A rule describing the relation between an object in a recursive sequence in terms of the preceding objects.
American Heritage
The property of languages in which a structure, such as a phrase or clause, may form a part of a larger structure of the same kind, allowing for a potentially infinite variety of constructions.
American Heritage
Other Word Forms of Recursion
Noun
Singular:
recursionPlural:
recursionsOrigin of Recursion
-
From Latin recursiō (“the act of running back or again, return"), from recurrō (“run back; return"), from re- (“back, again") + currō (“run").
From Wiktionary
-
Late Latin recursiō recursiōn- a running back from Latin recursus past participle of recurrere to run back recur
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to recursion using the buttons below.