Re*cep"ta*cle (r&esl;*s&ebreve;p"t&adot;*k'l), n. [F. réceptacle, L. receptaculum, fr. receptare, v. intens. fr. recipere to receive. See Receive.]
1. That which serves, or is used, for
receiving and containing something, as a basket, a vase, a bag, a reservoir; a repository.
O sacred receptacle of my joys!
Shak.
2. (Bot.) (a) The apex of the flower stalk, from which the organs of the flower grow, or into
which they are inserted. See Illust. of Flower, and Ovary. (b)
The dilated apex of a pedicel which serves as a common support to a
head of flowers. (c) An intercellular cavity
containing oil or resin or other matters. (d) A special branch which bears the fructification in many cryptogamous
plants.
Hear it pronounced