received
Meaning
Generally accepted as correct or true.
Widely believed or recognized as standard.
Structure
Usage
He questioned the received wisdom on the subject.
Received Pronunciation is often associated with the British upper class.
The theory is now received as fact by most scholars.
Etymology
The word "received" originates from the verb "receive", which entered Middle English from Anglo-Norman French receivre, itself derived from Latin recipere. This Latin verb is a compound of the prefix re- ("back") and the verb capere ("to take"), thus carrying the literal sense of "to take back". The past participle form "received" developed the adjectival sense of something that is "taken in" or "accepted" by people. Over time, this evolved into its modern meaning describing ideas, wisdom, or pronunciation that are conventionally accepted by a community.
Analysis
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back". - ceiv: From Latin capere, meaning "to take", via Old French ceivre. - ed: Old English origin, a suffix used to form the past tense and past participle of verbs.