receptionist

receptionist
receptionist (n.) "person hired to receive clients in an office," 1900, from RECEPTION (Cf. reception) + -IST (Cf. -ist). Originally in photography studios.
Let me not forget the receptionist -- generally and preferably, a woman of refined and gentle manners, well informed and specially gifted in handling people of varied dispositions. A woman especially who knows how to handle other women, and who can make herself beloved by the children who may visit the studio. A woman, also, who in a thoroughly suave and dignified way, knows just how to handle the young man of the period so that the photographer may be glad to have his business. What a power the receptionist is when properly chosen and trained. It is not too much to say that she can both make and destroy a business, if she has the amount of discretionary power given to her in some galleries. [John A. Tennant, "Business Methods Applied in Photography," "Wilson's Photographic Magazine," October 1900]
Earlier as an adjective in theology and law (1867).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • receptionist — UK US /rɪˈsepʃənɪst/ noun [C] ► HR, WORKPLACE a person who works in a hotel, office, etc., who answers the phone and helps guests or visitors when they arrive: »When you get here, the receptionist will direct you to my office …   Financial and business terms

  • recepţionist — recepţioníst s. m., pl. recepţioníşti Trimis de siveco, 10.08.2004. Sursa: Dicţionar ortografic  RECEPŢIONÍST, Ă s.m. şi f. (Rar) Recepţioner. [pron. ţi o . / < fr. réceptionniste]. Trimis de LauraGellner, 08.10.2008. Sursa: DN …   Dicționar Român

  • receptionist — /rəˈsɛpʃonist, ingl. rɪˈsɛpʃənɪst/ [vc. ingl., da reception «ricevimento»] s. m. e f. inv. (di azienda, di albergo, ecc.) portiere …   Sinonimi e Contrari. Terza edizione

  • receptionist — ► NOUN ▪ a person who greets and deals with clients and visitors to a surgery, office, hotel, etc …   English terms dictionary

  • receptionist — [ri sep′shənist] n. a person employed in an office to receive callers, give information, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Receptionist — A receptionist is a person in an office/administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office desk of an organization or business. The title receptionist is attributed to the person who… …   Wikipedia

  • receptionist — [[t]rɪse̱pʃənɪst[/t]] receptionists 1) N COUNT In a hotel, the receptionist is the person whose job is to book rooms for people and answer their questions. [mainly BRIT] (in AM, use desk clerk) 2) N COUNT In an office or hospital, the… …   English dictionary

  • receptionist */ — UK [rɪˈsepʃ(ə)nɪst] / US [rɪˈsepʃənɪst] noun [countable] Word forms receptionist : singular receptionist plural receptionists someone who works in reception at a hotel or office …   English dictionary

  • receptionist — noun Date: 1901 a person employed to greet telephone callers, visitors, patients, or clients …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • receptionist — /ri sep sheuh nist/, n. 1. a person employed to receive and assist callers, clients, etc., as in an office. 2. Theol. a person who advocates receptionism. [1865 70; RECEPTION + IST] * * * …   Universalium

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