The Collaborative International Dictionary
Acquaint \Ac*quaint"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquainted; p. pr. & vb. n. Acquainting.] [OE. aqueinten, acointen, OF. acointier, LL. adcognitare, fr. L. ad + cognitus, p. p. of cognoscere to know; con- + noscere to know. See Quaint, Know.]
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To furnish or give experimental knowledge of; to make (one) to know; to make familiar; -- followed by with.
Before a man can speak on any subject, it is necessary to be acquainted with it.
--Locke.A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
--Isa. liii. 3. -
To communicate notice to; to inform; to make cognizant; -- followed by with (formerly, also, by of), or by that, introducing the intelligence; as, to acquaint a friend with the particulars of an act.
Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love.
--Shak.I must acquaint you that I have received New dated letters from Northumberland.
--Shak. -
To familiarize; to accustom. [Obs.]
--Evelyn.To be acquainted with, to be possessed of personal knowledge of; to be cognizant of; to be more or less familiar with; to be on terms of social intercourse with.
Syn: To inform; apprise; communicate; advise.
Wiktionary
vb. (present participle of acquaint English)
Usage examples of "acquainting".
I took care to calm his anxiety as much as I could, but without acquainting him with all the circumstances of the case, for I thought I was wise in being discreet.
As soon as I found myself in possession of the deed for Madame Orio, I hastened to pay a visit to the mistress of embroidery, in order to find an opportunity of acquainting Nanette with my success, and in a short note which I prepared, I informed her that in two days I would call to give the brevet to Madame Orio, and I begged her earnestly not to forget her promise to contrive a private interview with my dear Angela.
I therefore went without saying anything about it to Laura, and without acquainting my dear little wife of my intentions.
Allworthy declared he was resolved to know, acquainting the culprit with the circumstance of the two guns, which had been deposed by the squire and both his servants.
Western, acquainting him that his nephew had very thankfully and gladly received the proposal, and would be ready to wait on the young lady, whenever she should be pleased to accept his visit.
At length, however, he found an opportunity of acquainting the lady, that he had business of great consequence to impart to her.
He began therefore by acquainting the serjeant, that as he was now entered into the army, he was ashamed of being without what was perhaps the most necessary implement of a soldier.
Here, take the sword- No, now I think on't, I will keep it myself, and show it your officer in the morning, acquainting him, at the same time, what a price you asked me for it.
At his first arrival he made no scruple of acquainting her with the unfortunate accident.
I believe, have undertaken such an errand, and especially without acquainting me.
Elizabeth immediately recognizing the livery, guessed what it meant, and imparted no small degree of her surprise to her relations by acquainting them with the honour which she expected.