receiving endn.
/rᵻˌsiːvɪŋ ˈɛnd/, U.S. /rəˌsivɪŋ ˈɛnd/, /riˌsivɪŋ ˈɛnd/ 1. A part, place, or position that receives a discharged object, transmitted signal, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > receiving > [noun] > recipient > position of
receiving end1713
1713 W. Cheselden Anat. Humane Body vi. 23 We find also in some Bodies the little Cartilages at the receiving Ends Ossify'd of the Bones of the Fingers.
1796 R. Harrington New Syst. Fire & Planetary Life 67 Iron that has been constantly kept in an horizontal position..receives this polarity, its south end becoming the receiving end and the north the emitting end.
1851 N.-Y. Observer 3 Apr. 1/1 The operator could set the clock-machinery in motion at any distance, and so make the paper unroll, even when no attendant was present at the receiving end.
1897 Westm. Gaz. 19 May 6/2 At the receiving end the polarising photochronograph of Lieutenant Squier and Professor Crehore completes the work.
1933 K. Henney Radio Engin. Handbk. x. 274 To obtain an intelligible signal at the receiving end, it is necessary to again invert the modulation frequencies by the reverse process.
2001 B. Weeks Curling for Dummies vii. 83 First, at the receiving end of the sheet, your stone must get completely across this line to be in play.
2. Baseball. The position of catcher. Cf. receiver n.1 2c.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > baseball player > [noun] > catcher
catcher1855
receiver1888
receiving end1888
backstop1889
1888 N.-Y. Times 1 Jan. 12/4 His ball career began as a third baseman on the Harvard nine, but he soon officiated as catcher, and for four years formed the receiving end of the famous Ernst and Tyng battery.
1912 Washington Post 4 Apr. 9 Either Ryan or Clancy will twirl [i.e. pitch] for the Brooklanders, with McDonnell at the receiving end.
1966 Wall St. Jrnl. 15 Feb. 16 The Dodger catcher..was on the receiving end of one of the most famous pitchers in baseball, Sandy Koufax.
2005 R. Trucks Catcher 95 Fran Healy..was on the receiving end of both no-hitters thrown by Steve Busby.
Phrases
to be on (also at) the receiving end: to be the (unfortunate) recipient of some action, event, etc.; to be subjected to something unpleasant.Chiefly used of immaterial things.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > be in adversity [verb (intransitive)]
tholec897
pinea1225
steada1300
endure1340
to well in woea1350
labourc1450
concernc1592
to have a good (bad, etc.) time (of it, formerly on it)1647
to have the wind in one's face1649
to be on (also at) the receiving end1909
to feel the draught1925
to have (one's) ass in a sling1960
to be in lumber1965
1909 Washington Post 24 Jan. (Miscellany section) 5/6 You find yourself helpless on the receiving end of a torrent of eloquence.
1918 A. J. Mack Shellproof Mack xviii. 211 The ‘toffee apple’ is an English trench mortar... I don't know how it looks when it is arriving, having never been on the receiving end.
1937 H. L. Ickes Diary 2 Oct. (1955) II. 219 I shall refuse to be at the receiving end of any more brickbats.
1976 J. Snow Cricket Rebel 134 The wrist had been on the receiving end of a Dennis Lillee bouncer.
2001 K. Fearon & A. Verlaque Lurgan Champagne & Other Tales 93 I'd seen them experience hatred. But until then I'd never been on the receiving end.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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