socket

[sok-it]

noun

1. a hollow part or piece for receiving and holding some part or thing.

2. Electricity.

   1. a device intended to hold an electric light bulb mechanically and connect it electrically to circuit wires.

   2. Also called wall socket. a socket placed in a wall to receive a plug that makes an electrical connection with supply wiring.

3. Anatomy.

   1. a hollow in one part that receives another part.

      the socket of the eye.

   2. the concavity of a joint.

      the socket of the hip.

verb (used with object)

1. to place in or fit with a socket.

socket

/ ˈsɒkɪt /

noun

1. a device into which an electric plug can be inserted in order to make a connection in a circuit

2. US and Canadian name: outlet. Informal Brit names: point.  plug. such a device mounted on a wall and connected to the electricity supply

3. a part with an opening or hollow into which some other part, such as a pipe, probe, etc, can be fitted

4. a spanner head having a recess suitable to be fitted over the head of a bolt and a keyway into which a wrench can be fitted

5. anatomy

   1. a bony hollow into which a part or structure fits

      a tooth socket

      an eye socket

   2. the receptacle of a ball-and-socket joint

verb

1. (tr) to furnish with or place into a socket

Other Word Forms

• socketless adjective
• unsocketed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of socket¹

1300–50; Middle English soket < Anglo-French, equivalent to Old French soc plowshare (< Gaulish *soccos; compare Welsh swch, Old Irish socc ) + -et -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of socket¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman soket a little ploughshare, from soc, of Celtic origin; compare Cornish soch ploughshare

Example Sentences

Autumn’s eyes almost pop out of their sockets.

Read more on Literature

In the smooth socket where the head had just been was another button.

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“Plug sockets used to blow because the water had gotten into them.”

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The skull has an enormous eye socket and a long sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid.

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Once replaced in the eye socket, T. Ocellus takes over the ocular pathways to the brain, overriding the neurotransmissions throughout the body.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• apartment 
• bedroom 
• box 
• cell 
• cubicle 
• hall 
• room