Receptacle, somewhat useless, eventually returned (6)
I believe the answer is:
vessel
'receptacle' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'somewhat useless eventually returned' is the wordplay.
'somewhat' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'returned' says the letters should be written backwards.
'lessev' can be found hidden inside 'useless eventually'.
'lessev' written backwards gives 'VESSEL'.
(Other definitions for vessel that I've seen before include "Ship or large boat" , "Ship, or artery" , "A ship or kitchen utensil" , "A ship, a cup" , "one swimming in blood?" .)