from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Socket \Sock"et\, n. [OE. soket, a dim. through OF. fr. L.
soccus. See {Sock} a covering for the foot.]
1. An opening into which anything is fitted; any hollow thing
or place which receives and holds something else; as, the
sockets of the teeth.
[1913 Webster]
His eyeballs in their hollow sockets sink. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
2. Especially, the hollow tube or place in which a candle is
fixed in the candlestick.
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3. (Electricity) the receptacle of an electric lamp into
which a light bulb is inserted, containing contacts to
conduct electricity to the bulb.
[PJC]
4. (Electricity) the receptacle fixed in a wall and connected
by conductive wiring to an electrical supply, containing
contacts to conduct electricity, and into which the plug
of an electrical device is inserted; -- called also a
{wall socket} or {outlet}. The socket will typically have
two or three contacts; if three, the third is connected to
a ground for safety.
[PJC]
And in the sockets oily bubbles dance. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
{Socket bolt} (Mach.), a bolt that passes through a thimble
that is placed between the parts connected by the bolt.
{Socket chisel}. Same as {Framing chisel}. See under
{Framing}.
{Socket pipe}, a pipe with an expansion at one end to receive
the end of a connecting pipe.
{Socket pole}, a pole armed with iron fixed on by means of a
socket, and used to propel boats, etc. [U.S.]
{Socket wrench}, a wrench consisting of a socket at the end
of a shank or rod, for turning a nut, bolthead, etc., in a
narrow or deep recess.
[1913 Webster]