receptacle Hear it!

receptacle Definition

re·cep·ta·cle (ri sep′tə kəl)

noun

  1. anything used to contain or hold something else; container; vessel
  2. an electrical wall outlet designed for use with a plug

  3. Etymology: ModL receptaculum

    Bot.
    1. the enlarged upper end of the stalk of a flowering plant, on which the flower parts grow
    2. any of a number of cuplike or disklike structures supporting spores, sex organs, etc.

Etymology: ME < L receptaculum < receptare, freq. of recipere: see receive

receptacle Synonyms

receptacle

n.

box, wastebasket, holder, repository; see container.

receptacle Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cover: Rubbish should be stored in covered receptacles and suitable arrangements should be made for its proper disposal.
  • become: More importantly, Cancer Kylie is now going to become the receptacle for masses more of this twaddle.
  • provide: But could the net provide the ideal receptacle for Gadda, this most spherical of writers?
  • design: My dish is attached to a pole that resides in a receptacle designed for just such a purpose.
  • use: Place in a receptacle used only for this purpose.
  • have: The feeder usually has a small receptacle in which a sugar solution is placed.

Preposition: for

  • water: The example the Commission gives is of 'a receptacle for holy water [ being ] filled with objectionable matter ' .
  • waste: Interference with waste sites and receptacles for waste 29.
  • litter: Unfortunately this is now a receptacle for village litter and dead leaves.

Adjective modifier

  • suitable: The pouch is held directly over the toilet or a suitable receptacle for emptying.
  • primary: In both the above case there is no limit per primary receptacle.
  • similar: There was a similar receptacle for potatoes in the kitchen.
  • common: The chamber pot ( a wide jug with a handle ) was the most common toilet receptacle.
  • small: The feeder usually has a small receptacle in which a sugar solution is placed.
  • other: Every boy had a tin or other receptacle containing jagged pieces of metal which had once been shells or even bombs.

Noun used with modifier

  • waste: Storing cleaning supplies and a waste receptacle near the work station can help promote regular surface cleaning.
  • collection: At the Civic Center there is a green cylindrical collection receptacle for household batteries ( eg.
  • power: Plug the male end of the cord into the female power receptacle on the back of MacCharlie.
  • metal: Use metal receptacles with closely fitting lids for waste such as floor sweepings.
  • cigarette: Each smoking shelter comes complete with a cigarette butt receptacle to keep the area free from cigarette litter.