\Re*ceive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Received}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Receiving}.] [OF. receiver, recevoir, F. recevoir,
fr. L. recipere; pref. re- re- + capere to take, seize. See
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.
         Receyven all in gree that God us sent. --Chaucer.
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.
         Our hearts receive your warnings.     --Shak.
         The idea of solidity we receives by our touch.
                                               --Locke.
3. To allow, as a custom, tradition, or the like; to give
   credence or acceptance to.
         Many other things there be which they have received
         to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots. --Mark
                                               vii. 4.
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.
         They kindled a fire, and received us every one.
                                               --Acts xxviii.
                                               2.
5. To admit; to take in; to hold; to contain; to have
   capacity fro; to be able to take in.
         The brazen altar that was before the Lord was too
         little to receive the burnt offerings. --1 Kings
                                               viii. 64.
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.
         Against his will he can receive no harm. --Milton.
7. To take from a thief, as goods known to be stolen.
8. (Lawn Tennis) To bat back (the ball) when served.
{Receiving ship}, one on board of which newly recruited
   sailors are received, and kept till drafted for service.
Syn: To accept; take; allow; hold; retain; admit.
Usage: {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.
             Who, if we knew What we receive, would either
             not accept Life offered, or soon beg to lay it
             down.                             --Milton.

\Re*ceive"\, v. i.
1. To receive visitors; to be at home to receive calls; as,
   she receives on Tuesdays.
2. (Lawn Tennis) To return, or bat back, the ball when
   served; as, it is your turn to receive.