receive

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   convert into sounds or pictures

   receive the incoming radio signals

2. 2
   verb

   receive a specified treatment (abstract)

   These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation

3. 3
   verb

   regard favorably or with disapproval

   The writer's new collection of poems was not well received.

4. 4
   verb

   accept as true or valid

   They received Christ.

5. 5
   verb

   express willingness to have in one's home or environs

   The community warmly received the refugees

6. 6
   verb

   To be given, sent, or paid something.

   He received many presents for his birthday.

7. 7
   verb

   To take, as something that is offered; to accept.

   He had the offer of employment, but he would not receive it.

8. 8
   verb

   To act as a host for guests; to give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, etc.

   to receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc.

Etymology

From Middle English receyven, from Old French receivre, from Latin recipere (“take back, accept, etc.”), from re- (“back”) + capiō (“to take”); see capacious. Compare conceive, deceive, perceive. Displaced native Middle English terms in -fon/-fangen (e.g. afon, anfon, afangen, underfangen, etc. "to receive" from Old English -fōn), native Middle English thiggen (“to receive”) (from Old English þiċġan), and non-native Middle English aquilen, enquilen (“to receive”) (from Old French aquillir, encueillir).