acknowledge

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Recorded since 1553, a blend (with a parasitic c slipped in) of (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English aknow (from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old English oncnawan (“to understand”), itself from on with cnawan (“to know”) and knowlechen (“to admit”). Other sources derive it from the prefix a- with a verb knowledge, and compare acknow.

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /əkˈnɒ.lɪdʒ/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ækˈnɑː.lɪdʒ/, [əkˈnɑːlədʒ], [ɨkˈnɑːlɨdʒ], [əɡˈnɑːlədʒ], [ɨɡˈnɑːlɨdʒ]
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation US: ac‧knowl‧edge, UK: ac‧know‧ledge

Verb

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  1. (transitive) To admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in
    to acknowledge the being of a god
    • 1611, King James Version, Psalm 51:3
      I acknowledge my transgressions.
    • 1849, Thomas Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James II, Chapter 1
      For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
    • 1604, Jeremy Corderoy, A Short Dialogve, wherein is Proved, that No Man can be Saved without Good VVorkes, 2nd edition, Oxford: Printed by Ioseph Barnes, and are to be sold in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Crowne, by Simon Waterson, →OCLC, page 40:
      [N]ow ſuch a liue vngodly, vvithout a care of doing the wil of the Lord (though they profeſſe him in their mouths, yea though they beleeue and acknowledge all the Articles of the Creed, yea haue knowledge of the Scripturs) yet if they liue vngodly, they deny God, and therefore ſhal be denied, […]
  2. To own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
  3. To be grateful of (e.g. a benefit or a favour)
    to acknowledge a favor
  4. To notify receipt, as of a letter.
    I acknowledge the receipt of your letter.
  5. To own as genuine or valid; to assent to (a legal instrument) to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form.
    • 1843, Thomas Isaac Wharton, A Digest of the Reported Cases Adjudged in the Several Courts Held in Pennsylvania, Together with Some Manuscript Cases:
      One who has been sheriff may acknowledge a deed executed by him while in office.

Usage notes

  • Acknowledge is opposed to keep back, or conceal, and supposes that something had been previously known to us (though perhaps not to others) which we now feel bound to lay open or make public. Thus, a man acknowledges a secret marriage; one who has done wrong acknowledges his fault; and author acknowledges his obligation to those who have aided him; we acknowledge our ignorance.
  • Recognize supposes that we have either forgotten or not had the evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but that now we know it (as it were) anew, or receive and admit it on the grounds of the evidence it brings. Thus, we recognize a friend after a long absence. We recognize facts, principles, truths, etc., when their evidence is brought up fresh to the mind. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any kind, is recognized on the ground of his producing satisfactory credentials.
  • See also confess

Synonyms

Derived terms

Derived terms

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Translations

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Translations to be checked

References

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