acquaintance

English

/əˈkweɪntəns/, /ʌˈkweɪn.təns/

noun
Definitions
  • (uncountable) A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship.
  • (countable) A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
  • (uncountable) Such people collectively; one's circle of acquaintances (with plural concord).
  • Personal knowledge (with (with) a specific subject etc.).

Etymology

Derived from aquaintaunce derived from Old French acointance (friendship, familiarity), acointer (acquaint).

Origin

Old French

acointer

Gloss

acquaint

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms