adj

• (sciences) Particularly in geology, palaeontology, and astronomy: having occurred a relatively short time ago, but still potentially thousands or even millions of years ago.
  "Finding it now means it was produced in more recent times, in astronomical terms."

noun

• (computing, graphical user interface) A recently viewed or accessed item.
  "Obviously, the first time you launch this app, your Recents list is empty."

name

• (obsolete, geology) The Holocene.
  "He [Charles Lyell] ignored Quaternary, a term he never accepted. The Recent addressed the age “tenanted by man,” which at the time barely extended beyond the chronicles of the Bible."

adj

• (obsolete, geology, astronomy) Of the Holocene, particularly pre-21st century.