receptors

Noun

receptor (plural receptors)

1. A protein on a cell wall that binds with specific molecules so that they can be absorbed into the cell in order to control certain functions.
   • In the target organ, the drug is recognised by ‘receptors’. These are large molecules, usually proteins, to which the drug binds tightly and with a high degree of specificity.2001, Leslie Iversen, Drugs: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, page 24
2. Any specialized cell or structure that responds to sensory stimuli.
3. (obsolete) One who receives something or someone; in particular, one who harbors a fugitive.
   • […] fewe that were there did spend the same daie abowte the searchinge out of sundrye that were receptors of ffelons, where we fownd a greate manye aswell in London, Westminster, Sowthwarke, as in all other places abowte the same.1585, Fleetwood, in 1824, Henry Ellis, Original letters, illustrative of English history, page 297