Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Receive?

\Re*ceive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Received}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Receiving}.] [OF. receiver, recevoir, F. recevoir, fr. L. recipere; pref. re- re- + capere to take, seize. See See {Capable}, {Heave}, and cf. {Receipt}, {Reception}, {Recipe}.] 1. To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, or the like; to accept; as, to receive money offered in payment of a debt; to receive a gift, a message, or a letter. Receyven all in gree that God us sent. --Chaucer. 2. Hence: To gain the knowledge of; to take into the mind by assent to; to give admission to; to accept, as an opinion, notion, etc.; to embrace. Our hearts receive your warnings. --Shak. The idea of solidity we receives by our touch. --Locke. 3. To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give credence or acceptance to. Many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots. --Mark vii. 4. 4. To give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, and the like; as, to receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc. They kindled a fire, and received us every one. --Acts xxviii. 2. 5. To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have capacity fro; to be able to take in. The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings. --1 Kings viii. 64. 6. To be affected by something; to suffer; to be subjected to; as, to receive pleasure or pain; to receive a wound or a blow; to receive damage. Against his will he can receive no harm. --Milton. 7. To take from a thief, as goods known to be stolen. 8. (Lawn Tennis) To bat back (the ball) when served. {Receiving ship}, one on board of which newly recruited sailors are received, and kept till drafted for service. Syn: To accept; take; allow; hold; retain; admit. Usage: {Receive}, {Accept}. To receive describes simply the act of taking. To accept denotes the taking with approval, or for the purposes for which a thing is offered. Thus, we receive a letter when it comes to hand; we receive news when it reaches us; we accept a present when it is offered; we accept an invitation to dine with a friend. Who, if we knew What we receive, would either not accept Life offered, or soon beg to lay it down. --Milton.
\Re*ceive"\, v. i. 1. To receive visitors; to be at home to receive calls; as, she receives on Tuesdays. 2. (Lawn Tennis) To return, or bat back, the ball when served; as, it is your turn to receive.