receptacle

[ ri-sep-tuh-kuh l ]

/ rɪˈsɛp tə kəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR receptacle ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a container, device, etc., that receives or holds something: a receptacle for trash.

Botany. the modified or expanded portion of the stem or axis that bears the organs of a single flower or the florets of a flower head.

Electricity. a contact device installed at an outlet for the connection of a portable lamp, appliance, or other electric device by means of a plug and flexible cord.

Nearby words

Origin of receptacle

1375–1425; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin receptāculum reservoir, equivalent to receptā(re) to take again, receive back (frequentative of recipere to receive) + -culum -cle²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for receptacle

Thefacebook was nothing but a platform—a receptacle for the contributions of its users.
How Mark Zuckerberg's Vision Saved Facebook|David Kirkpatrick|October 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Sow, the receptacle into which the liquid iron is poured in a gun-foundry.
The Slang Dictionary|John Camden Hotten
Now ‘box’ was easy enough, for the receptacle in the street was duly called ‘Brievenbus’.
An Irishman's Difficulties with the Dutch Language|N.A. Cuey-na-Gael
Careful precautions are taken against the Mont-de-Pit being made a receptacle for stolen goods.
Paris|William Walton

He opened the lid, searched among some tools which lay in the receptacle beneath, and took out a chisel.
The Dead Secret|Wilkie Collins
We reply, that it is the receptacle, and in a manner the nurse, of all generation.
Timaeus|Plato

British Dictionary definitions for receptacle

receptacle

/ (rɪˈsɛptəkəl) /

noun

an object that holds something; container

botany

the enlarged or modified tip of the flower stalk that bears the parts of the flower
the shortened flattened stem bearing the florets of the capitulum of composite flowers such as the daisy
the part of lower plants that bears the reproductive organs or spores

Word Origin for receptacle

C15: from Latin receptāculum a store-place, from receptāre to receive again, from recipere to receive

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for receptacle

receptacle

late 14c., from Old French receptacle (14c.) and directly from Latin receptaculum "place to receive and store things," from receptare, frequentative of recipere "to hold, contain" (see receive). As an adjectival form, receptacular (1847) has been used.

Science definitions for receptacle

receptacle

[ rĭ-sĕp′tə-kəl ]

The enlarged upper end of a flower stalk that bears the flower or group of flowers. The fleshy edible part of an apple is actually a modified receptacle. See more at flower.