-və(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English receyvour, receivere, from (assumed) Old North French receivour, from receivre to receive + -our -er
1. : one that receives
the sense of touch, not ordinarily a receiver of information originating at a distance — F.A.Geldard
threw a long forward pass into the arms of a waiting receiver
2. : one that receives on behalf of others: as
a. : a person appointed to receive money due : treasurer
b.
(1) : a person appointed usually by a court of equity jurisdiction to receive and conserve property that is the subject of litigation, to administer it under the supervision of the court as its agent, and to apply, manage, and dispose of it in accordance with the orders and decrees of the court until the final determination of the litigation
(2) : a person appointed under a statute by an administrative public officer to wind up the affairs of a business (as a bank, railroad, or insurance company) involving a public interest in case of dissolution or insolvency or to manage under the direction of a court a corporation financially embarrassed during a period of reorganization in an effort to avoid bankruptcy
(3) : a person appointed by a court under British statute to receive the income of those incompetent to manage their affairs
(4) : a person appointed by a court under British statute to conserve the property of an alleged bankrupt until it can be determined whether he is a bankrupt
(5) : a person appointed under British statute by a mortgagee or other holder of security in accordance with the terms of the mortgage or security agreement to take possession of the security and apply it in satisfaction of the indebtedness in accordance with the statute and agreement
3. : one who knowingly takes or buys stolen goods from a thief : fence 4a
4. : something that acts as a receptacle or container: as
a. : the bell jar of an air pump
b. : a vessel used to store a product (as steam or air) for later use
c.
(1) : the metal frame in which the action of a firearm is fitted and to which the breech end of the barrel is attached
(2) : the main body of the lock in a breech mechanism
d.
(1) : a vessel or tube for use especially with a condenser or retort to collect and sometimes to condense the product of distillation
(2) : a vessel to receive and contain gases
5. : one that receives electric currents or waves: as
a. : receiving set
b. : the portion of a telegraphic or telephonic apparatus by which the electric currents or waves are converted into visible or audible signals