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.

His eyeballs in their hollow sockets sink. --Dryden.

2. Especially, the hollow tube or place in which a candle is fixed in the candlestick.

And in the sockets oily bubbles dance. --Dryden.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)