An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

An electronic device that amplifies, detects, and gives a measure of the intensity of radio signals.

Etymology (EN): M.E. receven, from O.Fr. recoivre, from L. recipere from → re- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take, hold, seize,” PIE base *kap- “to grasp” (cf. Skt. kapati “two handfuls,” Gk. kaptein “to swallow,” O.Ir. cacht “servant-girl,” lit. “captive,” Goth. haban “have, hold,” O.E. habban “to have, hold,” probably Mod.Pers. qâp-, qâpidan, kapidan “to seize, rob,” Av. haf-, hap- “to keep, observe”).

Etymology (PE): Girandé, agent noun of gereftan “to take, seize, hold;” Mid.Pers. griftan, gir- “to take, hold, restrain;” O.Pers./Av. grab- “to take, seize,”
cf. Skt. grah-, grabh- “to seize, take,” graha- “seizing, holding, perceiving,” M.L.G. grabben “to grab,” from P.Gmc. *grab, E. grab “to take or grasp suddenly;” PIE *ghrebh- “to seize.”