1. A reference to something that repeats itself, either indefinitely or until a specific point is reached: The recursive "peeping" from Jane's microwave, indicating that the time was up, didn't stop until she opened the door.
2. Pertaining to or using a rule or procedure that can be applied repeatedly: The recursive research and simplifications of definitions and the creations of applicable sentences that extend one's understanding of word entries has been continually frustrating because there is such a lack of available resources in printed and internet lexicons!
3. Capable of being used again, or of being returned to after an interruption: Modern technology has been providing so many recursive devices that one could create a very long list of them and still not include all of the marvelous instruments that are available for people to utilize!

In computer programming, the program instruction set that contains a repetition of steps in a process as a direct consequence of the actions that precede each one: As a programmer for computers, Eric uses recursive algorithms in the development of data processes that achieve a desired objective or result.