v.
Pronunciation: ri- ' s ē v
Function: verb
Inflected Form: re · ceived ; re · ceiv · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French receivre, from Latin recipere, from re- + capere to take ― more at HEAVE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to come into possession of : ACQUIRE < receive a gift>
2 a : to act as a receptacle or container for <the cistern receive s water from the roof> b : to assimilate through the mind or senses < receive new ideas>
3 a : to permit to enter : ADMIT b : WELCOME , GREET c : to react to in a specified manner
4 : to accept as authoritative, true, or accurate : BELIEVE
5 a : to support the weight or pressure of : BEAR b : to take (a mark or impression) from the weight of something <some clay receive s clear impressions> c : ACQUIRE , EXPERIENCE < received his early schooling at home> d : to suffer the hurt or injury of < received a broken nose>
intransitive verb
1 : to be a recipient
2 : to be at home to visitors < receive s on Tuesdays>
3 : to convert incoming radio waves into perceptible signals
4 : to prepare to take possession of the ball from a kick in football