acknowledge

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to accept someone to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority

   The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne.

2. 2
   verb

   to accept as legally binding and valid

   Please acknowledge the deed so that I can go home.

3. 3
   verb

   to declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

   I didn't want to acknowledge their deity.

4. 4
   verb

   to express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for something

   We must acknowledge the kindness they showed towards us.

5. 5
   verb

   to report the receipt of

   The program committee acknowledged the submission of the authors of the paper.

6. 6
   verb

   to express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with

   They never acknowledge their colleagues when they run into each other in the hallway.

7. 7
   verb

   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

8. 8
   verb

   To own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.

   By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee.

Etymology

Recorded since 1553, a blend of Middle English aknowen (“to recognize, acknowledge”) and knowlechen (“to discover, reveal, acknowledge”). The former verb is from Old English oncnāwan, ācnāwan (“to know, recognize, acknowledge”), from on + cnāwan (“to know”). The latter is derived from the noun at hand in knowledge. For the formation compare Latin agnōscō and Russian призна́ть (priznátʹ), with cognate roots. The /k/-sound was preserved by being redistributed to the preceding syllable: /əˈkn-/ > /əkˈn-/. The -c- was inserted accordingly to reflect this pronunciation more clearly.