From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Recent \Re"cent\ (r[=e]"sent), 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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the present or existing epoch;
as, recent shells.
[1913 Webster]