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receive definition

re·ceive (ri sēv)

transitive verb received -·ceived′, receiving -·ceiv′·ing

  1. to take or get (something given, offered, sent, etc.); acquire or accept
  2. to encounter; experience to receive acclaim
  3. to have inflicted on one; undergo; suffer to receive a blow
  4. to take the effect or force of; bear all four wheels receive the weight equally
  5. to react to as specified a performance that was well received
  6. to apprehend mentally; get knowledge of or information about; learn to receive news
  7. to accept mentally as authentic, valid, etc.
    1. to let enter; admit
    2. to have room for; hold; contain a cistern receives rainwater
  8. to grant admittance to or greet (visitors or guests)
  9. Radio, TV to detect (a radio or TV transmission) and convert it into sounds or images
  10. Sports to catch (a pass, throw, etc.)

Etymology: ME receiven < Anglo-Fr receivre < OFr < L recipere < re-, back + capere, to take: see have

intransitive verb

  1. to get, accept, take, or acquire something; be a recipient
  2. to admit or greet guests or visitors
  3. Radio, TV to convert incoming electromagnetic waves into sound or light, thus reproducing the sounds or images being transmitted
  4. Sports
    1. to be the team set to return the ball on a kickoff
    2. to be the player or team that returns or attempts to return a serve
receive Idioms

be on the receiving end

Informal
  1. to be the recipient of a gift, or favor
  2. to be the target or victim of an attack
  3. Sports to act as the receiver

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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