reception Look up reception at Dictionary.com
1390, in astrology, "effect of two planets on each other;" sense of "act of receiving" is recorded from c.1489, from L. receptionem (nom. receptio) "a receiving," from receptus, pp. of recipere (see receive). Sense of "ceremonial gathering" is 1882, from French. Receptionist "person hired to receive clients in an office" is recorded from 1901.