receptacle

Meaning

Noun

• A container.
• The part of the flower stalk (peduncle or pedicel) to which the floral parts are attached; a thalamus, a torus.
• A structure at the end of a branch of an alga containing conceptacles (reproductive organs).
• An organ that receives and holds a secretion.
• A contact device installed at an outlet for the connection of an attachment plug (typically by receiving the plug's prongs) to supply portable appliances or equipment.

Related

Similar words

• thalamus, torus

Origin

• From Middle English receptacle, from Anglo-Norman receptacle and Middle French receptacle ("organ containing a fluid; gathering place; water basin") (modern French réceptacle), from Latin receptāculum ("animal enclosure, container, place of refuge, receptacle, repository, reservoir, shelter#Noun"), from receptāre or receptō, [[frequentative of recipiō (from re- + capiō) + -culum; cognate with Italian recettaculo, ricettaculo, Portuguese receptáculo, Spanish receptáculo.