GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found one definition

1.       
   Socket (?), 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”.
   
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   His eyeballs in their hollow sockets sink. Dryden.
   
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   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.
   
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   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.
   
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   And in the sockets oily bubbles dance. Dryden.
   
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   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.
   
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