[ rɪ'sɛptək(ə)l ]
■ noun
1》 an object or space used to contain something.
2》 N. Amer. an electrical socket.
3》 chiefly Zoology an organ or structure which receives a secretion, eggs, etc.
4》 Botany the base of a flower, flower head, or other sexual organ.
Origin
ME: from L. receptaculum , from receptare , frequentative of recipere (see receive ).