The Spanish word 'receta' (meaning 'prescription' or 'recipe') comes from the Latin word 'recepta' meaning 'things received'. This Latin word developed from 'receptare' meaning 'to receive repeatedly', which in turn came from 'recipere' meaning 'to receive'. The word 'recipere' was formed by combining two Latin elements: the prefix 're-' meaning 'back' or 'again' and the verb 'capere' meaning 'to take' or 'seize'.

The semantic evolution from 'things received' to 'prescription/recipe' makes sense when you consider that a medical prescription or cooking recipe is essentially a set of received instructions or formulas that have been passed down and documented.

Several common Spanish words share this etymology with 'receta'. The verb 'recibir' (to receive) comes from the same Latin 'recipere'. The word 'receptor' (receiver) is also related, as is 'receptivo' (receptive). These words all maintain the core meaning of receiving or taking in something.

English speakers can find familiar connections in words like 'receipt', 'receive', 'recipe', and 'receptor', which all share the same Latin ancestry as 'receta'. 'Recipe' is particularly interesting as it's a direct cognate with nearly the same meaning - both 'recipe' and 'receta' refer to instructions for preparing something, whether it's medicine or food. The word 'receipt' originally also meant 'recipe' in English, before its meaning narrowed to primarily refer to a proof of purchase or payment.