Etimology
Borrowed from Latin recēns (genitive recentis).
adjective
recent (comparative more recent, superlative most recent)
Having happened a short while ago.
Up-to-date; not old-fashioned or dated.
Having done something a short while ago that distinguishes them as what they are called.
(sciences) Particularly in geology, palaeontology, and astronomy: having occurred a relatively short time ago, but still potentially thousands or even millions of years ago.
Examples
Synonym: nudiustertian
Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.
The cause has several hundred recent donors.
I met three recent graduates at the conference.
Finding it now means it was produced in more recent times, in astronomical terms.
noun
recent (plural recents)
(computing, graphical user interface) A recently viewed or accessed item.
Examples
Obviously, the first time you launch this app, your Recents list is empty.