receipt
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ɹɪˈsiːt/
rhymes: -iːt
Forms: form: receipts
Etymology: From Middle English receyt, recorded since c. 1386 as "statement of ingredients in a potion or medicine," from Anglo-Norman or Old Northern French receite (“receipt, recipe”) (1304), altered (by influence of receit (“he receives”), from Latin recipit) from Old French recete, from Latin receptus, perfect passive participle of recipiō, itself from re- (“back”) + capiō (“I take”). The unpronounced p was later inserted to make the word appear closer to its Latin root. Doublet of recept and recipe. False cognate of Persian رسید (resid) (whence Urdu رسید (rasīd)).
Senses: examples: text: A balance payable on receipt of the goods.
text: Your Grace shall understand that at the receipt of your letter I am very sick
ref: c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
glosses: The act of receiving, or the fact of having been received.
examples: text: And therewith Sir Launcelot gate all his armoure as well as he myght and put hit upon hym for drede of more resseite[…].
ref: 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum xvi”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book VI, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:
glosses: The fact of having received a blow, injury etc.
examples: text: This weekend's receipts alone cover our costs to mount the production!
glosses: A quantity or amount received; takings.
glosses: A written acknowledgment that a specified article or sum of money has been received.
examples: text: So, Andy, if you ask me nicely, I might produce a receipt that is my marriage certificate.
ref: 2020, “Reunion Part 1”, in The Real Housewives of Atlanta, season 12, episode 24:
glosses: (A piece of) evidence, documentation, etc. to prove one's past actions, accomplishments, etc.
examples: text: "Oh yes, the Internet trolls went there, and we've got the receipts".
ref: 2020 December 1, Lindsey Wisniewski, “Darius Slay's Wikipedia page edited to claim DK Metcalf as his father”, in NBC Sports:
glosses: (A piece of) evidence (e.g. documentation or screen captures) of past wrongdoing.
examples: text: She had a receipt to make white hair black.
ref: 1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC:
text: Nor were we without guests: sometimes farmer Flamborough, our talkative neighbour, and often the blind piper, would pay us a visit, and taste our gooseberry wine; for the making of which we had lost neither the receipt nor the reputation.
ref: 1766, Oliver Goldsmith, chapter 4, in The Vicar of Wakefield:
text: Have you never eaten them, either preserved or candied […] if you will allow me, Sir, I shall be very happy to send the receipt to your housekeeper.
ref: 1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard:
qualifier: elsewhere since middle of 20th century
glosses: A recipe, instructions, prescription.
raw_tags: in New England and rural US since end of 20th century
glosses: A receptacle.
glosses: A revenue office.
examples: text: thy kind receipt of me
ref: 1614–1615, Homer, “(please specify the book number)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume (please specify the book number), London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC:
glosses: Reception, as an act of hospitality.
examples: text: It has become a place of great receipt.
ref: 1644, John Evelyn, diary entry 21 October, 1644:
glosses: Capability of receiving; capacity.
glosses: A recess; a retired place.
Derived terms: delivery receipt
depositary receipt
gate receipts
gift receipt
read receipt
receiptless
Related terms: receivable
receive
reception
receptive
docket