Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Receive \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.