'receive' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'receivre,' where 're-' meant 'back' and 'ceivre' meant 'to take.'

'receivre' transformed into the Middle English word 'receiven,' and eventually became the modern English word 'receive'.

Initially, it meant 'to take back or regain,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to be given or presented with something.'