A Somewhat Quaint But Fine Expression

A week or so ago and customer and neighbor was in shopping for a gift for a woman friend. I showed him a few possibilities, he chose one, I wrapped it, and off to the birthday party he went. He was in again yesterday with a friend, looking around, so I asked him how if the present had been a success. His answer: "Oh yes, it was very well received." For some reason the expression really struck me. Of course I've heard it many times, but this time I realized exactly, literally, what it meant - the person liked it - received it well. Of course you could say "she liked it a lot" and it would mean the same thing. But I find "well received" particularly charming and also apt. Of course, I'm a fan of Jane Austen, Dickens, George Eliot, etc. and do enjoy a certain turn of phrase . . .