What is the Latin word for socket?

The usual Latin words for “socket” are tubus, vāgīna, thēca. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“socket” in Latin

tubustube, pipe; trumpet used at sacrifices vāgīnasheath; scabbard; covering; sheath; holder (of anything)thēcaa case, envelope, sheath

The English word socket itself goes back to Latin soccus, through *soccus.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

socket

myxus (in a candlestick or lamp: i. e., the part in which the wick stood; Mart., 14, 41): tubus (a tube): vagina, (a sheath): theca (a case). Socket of the eye, *cavum oculi.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for socket?: The usual Latin words for “socket” are tubus, vāgīna, thēca. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.