acquaint

[uh-kweynt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR acquaint ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to make more or less familiar, aware, or conversant (usually followed by with): to acquaint the mayor with our plan.

to furnish with knowledge; inform (usually followed by with): to acquaint the manager with one's findings.

to bring into social contact; introduce (usually followed by with): She acquainted her roommate with my cousin.

Origin of acquaint

1250–1300; Middle English aqueinten, acointen < Anglo-French acointer, Old French acoint(i)er, verbal derivative of acointe familiar, known < Latin accognitus, past participle of accognōscere to recognize, equivalent to ac- ac- + co- co- + gni- know¹ + -tus past participle suffix

Related formspre·ac·quaint, verb (used with object)re·ac·quaint, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for acquainting

accustom, familiarize, apprise, inform, advise, enlighten, disclose, reveal, divulge, introduce, clue, warn, notify, habituate, post, tell, present, intro

Examples from the Web for acquainting

Historical Examples of acquainting

Then devise some means of acquainting his friends of his whereabouts.
A Bid for Fortune
Guy Boothby
He had telegraphed to her, acquainting her with his defeat, and telling her to expect his return.
The Prime Minister
Anthony Trollope
He immediately wrote a letter to her, acquainting her with his arrival.
The Poacher
Frederick Marryat
Of acquainting him with the Business during his Apprenticeship.
The Life of Daniel De Foe
George Chalmers
When it was done, she posted a note to Heriot, acquainting him with her intention.
One Man's View
Leonard Merrick

British Dictionary definitions for acquainting

acquaint

verb (tr)

(foll by with or of) to make (a person) familiar or conversant (with); inform (of)

(foll by with) mainly US to introduce (to); bring into contact (with)

Word Origin for acquaint

C13: via Old French and Medieval Latin from Latin accognitus, from accognōscere to know perfectly, from ad- (intensive) + cognōscere to know

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for acquainting

acquaint

early 13c., from Old French acointier "make known, make acquaintance of," from Vulgar Latin accognitare "to make known," from Latin accognitus "acquainted with," past participle of accognoscere "know well," from ad- "to" (see ad-) + cognitus, past participle of cogniscere "come to know," from com- "with" (see com-) + gnoscere "know" (see notice). Originally reflective, "to make oneself known;" sense of "to gain for oneself personal knowledge of" is from early 14c. Related: Acquainted; acquainting.