Recent \Re"cent\, a. [L. recens, -entis: cf. F. r['e]cent.]

1. Of late origin, existence, or occurrence; lately come; not of remote date, antiquated style, or the like; not already known, familiar, worn out, trite, etc.; fresh; novel; new; modern; as, recent news.

The ancients were of opinion, that a considerable portion of that country [Egypt] was recent, and formed out of the mud discharged into the neighboring sea by the Nile. --Woodward.

2. (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the present or existing epoch; as, recent shells.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)