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Webster 1913 Edition


acknowledge

ac-knowl′edge

(ăk-nŏl′ĕj)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
acknowledged
(ăk-nŏl′ĕjd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
acknowledging
(ăk-nŏl′ĕj-ĭng)
.]
[Prob. fr. pref.
a-
+ the verb
knowledge
. See
Knowledge
, and cf.
Acknow
.]
1.
To own or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one’s belief in;
as, to
acknowledge
the being of a God
.
I
acknowledge
my transgressions.
Ps. li. 3.
For ends generally
acknowledged
to be good.
Macaulay.
2.
To own or recognize in a particular character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
In all thy ways
acknowledge
Him.
Prov. iii. 6.
By my soul, I'll ne'er
acknowledge
thee.
Shakespeare
3.
To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation;
as, to
acknowledge
a favor, the receipt of a letter
.
They his gifts
acknowledged
none.
Milton.
4.
To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form;
as, to
acknowledge
a deed
.
Syn. – To avow; proclaim; recognize; own; admit; allow; concede; confess.
Acknowledge
,
Recognize
. 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 in on the ground 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; as, bad men usually recognize the providence of God in seasons of danger. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any kind, is recognized on the ground of his producing satisfactory credentials. See also
Confess
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Acknowledge

ACKNOWL'EDGE

,
Verb.
T.
Aknol'edge, [ad and knowledge. See Know.]
1.
To own, avow or admit to be true, by a declaration of assent; as to acknowledge the being of a God.
2.
To own or notice with particular regard.
In all thy ways acknowledge God. Prov. 3. Isa. 33.
3.
To own or confess, as implying a consciousness of guilt.
I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Ps. 51 and 32.
4.
To own with assent; to admit or receive with approbation.
He that acknowledgeth the son, hath the father also.
1John 2. 2Tim. 2.
5.
To own with gratitude; to own as a benefit; as, to acknowledge a favor, or the receipt of a gift.
Thy his gifts acknowledged not.
6.
To own or admit to belong to; as, to acknowledge a son.
7.
To receive with respect.
All that see them shall acknowledge that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed. Isa. 6. 1Cor. 16.
8.
To own, avow or assent to an act in a legal form, to give it validity; as, to acknowledge a deed before competent authority.

Definition 2024


acknowledge

acknowledge

English

Alternative forms

Verb

acknowledge (third-person singular simple present acknowledges, present participle acknowledging, simple past and past participle acknowledged)

  1. (transitive) To admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a god.
    • Psalm 51:3
      I acknowledge my transgressions.
    • Thomas Macaulay
      For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
  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 own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor.
  4. To notify receipt, as of a letter.
  5. To own as genuine or valid; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed.

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 in on the ground 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; as, bad men usually recognize the providence of God in seasons of danger. 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

Related terms

Translations

References

  • acknowledge in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913