socket
The term describes a female connector or a recessed cavity designed to receive a corresponding male part. This relationship of fit and containment is the unifying concept across electrical, mechanical, and biological contexts. In electrical terms, it is the stationary power source, while in anatomy, it refers to the protective bony or cartilaginous housing of an organ or joint. In computing, the term shifts from a physical hole to a logical endpoint. A network socket is a virtual interface that allows software to communicate over a network, mirroring the physical concept of a plug-and-socket connection but operating in a digital space.
Meanings
A device in a wall or piece of equipment into which an electrical plug is inserted to connect a device to a power supply.
"He plugged the lamp into the wall socket."
A hollow part or cavity into which another part fits snugly, such as a joint in the body or a mechanical component.
"The hip joint consists of the head of the femur fitting into the acetabular socket."
A tool used for tightening or loosening nuts and bolts, consisting of a cylindrical head that fits over the fastener.
"He used a socket wrench to remove the bolt from the engine."
The bony cavity in the skull that contains the eyeball.
"The optic nerve connects the eye within the socket to the brain."