Receive (r&euptack_;sēv), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Received (r&euptack_;sēvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Receiving.] [OF. receveir, recevoir, F. recevoir, fr. L. recipere; pref. re- re- + capere to take, seize. See Capable, Heave, and cf. Receipt, Reception, Recipe.] 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.
[1913 Webster]

Receyven all in gree that God us sent. Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

Our hearts receive your warnings. Shak.
[1913 Webster]

The idea of solidity we receive by our touch. Locke.
[1913 Webster]

3. To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give credence or acceptance to.
[1913 Webster]

Many other things there be which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots. Mark vii. 4.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

They kindled a fire, and received us every one. Acts xxviii. 2.
[1913 Webster]

5. To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have capacity for; to be able to take in.
[1913 Webster]

The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too little to receive the burnt offerings. 1 Kings viii. 64.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

Against his will he can receive no harm. Milton.
[1913 Webster]

7. To take from a thief, as goods known to be stolen.
[1913 Webster]

8. (Lawn Tennis) To bat back (the ball) when served.
[1913 Webster]

Receiving ship, one on board of which newly recruited sailors are received, and kept till drafted for service.
[1913 Webster]

Syn. -- To 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.
[1913 Webster]

Who, if we knew
What we receive, would either not accept
Life offered, or soon beg to lay it down. Milton.
[1913 Webster]