Receive

/rɪˈsiːv/ verb

Definition

To get, accept, or be given something.

Etymology

From Old French receivre, from Latin recipere meaning 'to take back', composed of re- 'back' and capere 'to take'. The spelling with 'ei' follows the rule 'i before e except after c'.

Kelly Says

The misspelling 'recieve' is so common that it's become a classic example of why English spelling is tricky - our brains want to follow phonetic patterns, but 'receive' breaks the usual 'i before e' rule because it comes after 'c'. This word has humbled countless spellers throughout history!

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