Recent, a.
Etymology: [L. recens, -entis: cf. F. récent.]
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for recent; he lists it under new.
Where he writes about it:
Modern denotes that which has begun to exist in the present age, and is still existing; recent denotes that which has come into existence within a comparatively brief period, and may or may not be existing still. — from new
That which is recent is not quite so sharply distinguished from the past as that which is new; recent publications range over a longer time than new books. — from new
New is opposed to old, modern to ancient, recent to remote, young to old, aged, etc. — from new