I. ˈsäkə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English soket spearhead shaped like a plowshare, support of a spear or pole, socket, from Anglo-French, diminutive of Old French soc plowshare, of Celtic origin; akin to Cornish soch plowshare, Middle Irish soc plowshare, snout of a hog, Old Irish socc hog — more at sow (hog)
1.
a. : an opening or hollow that forms a holder for something : a hollow piece that serves as a standard or support for a pole, rod, shaft, or similarly shaped object
the whip was in its socket beside him — Kathleen Freeman
put the flagpole in its socket
a candle socket
b. : any of various hollows in body structures in which some other part normally lodges
the bony socket of the eye
an inflamed tooth socket
especially : the depression in a bone with which the rounded head of another bone fits in a ball-and-socket joint
the acetabulum or socket of the hip joint
c. : a cavity terminating an artificial limb into which the bodily stump fits
suction socket
d. : bell 5i
2.
a. : a device to receive and grip the end of a thing (as a rope, tool, incandescent lamp, or shaft of a golf club)
screwed the light bulb into the socket
b. : any of several fishing tools for catching the outside of pipe or tools lost in an oil well
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to provide with or support in or by a socket
2. : to insert, screw, or secure in a socket