RECEIVE
verb
Synonyms
accept; take; allow; hold; retain; admit. Receive, Accept. To receive describes simply the act of taking. To accept denotes the taking with approval, or for the purposes for which a thing is offered. Thus, we receive a letter when it comes to hand; we receive news when it reaches us; we accept a present when it is offered; we accept an invitation to dine with a friend. Who, if we knew What we receive, would either not accept Life offered, or soon beg to lay it down. Milton.
Definitions
- 1. To take, as something that is offered, given, committed, sent, paid, or the like; to accept; as, to receive money offered in payment of a debt; to receive a gift, a message, or a letter. Receyven all in gree that God us sent. Chaucer.
- 2. Hence: To gain the knowledge of; to take into the mind by assent to; to give admission to; to accept, as an opinion, notion, etc.; to embrace. Our hearts receive your warnings. Shak. The idea of solidity we receives by our touch. Locke.
- 3. To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give credence or acceptance to. Many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots. Mark vii. 4.
- 4. To give admittance to; to permit to enter, as into one's house, presence, company, and the like; as, to receive a lodger, visitor, ambassador, messenger, etc. They kindled a fire, and received us every one. Acts xxviii. 2.
- 5. To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have capacity fro; to be able to take in. The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings. 1 Kings viii. 64.
- 6. To be affected by something; to suffer; to be subjected to; as, to receive pleasure or pain; to receive a wound or a blow; to receive damage. Against his will he can receive no harm. Milton.
- 7. To take from a thief, as goods known to be stolen.
- 8. To bat back (the ball) when served. Receiving ship, one on board of which newly recruited sailors are received, and kept till drafted for service.
Added: October 09, 2025
Updated: October 09, 2025