acquaintance
/əˈkweɪntəns/
UK: /əˈkweɪntəns/
acquaintance
English
Noun Top 7,667
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Definition
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.
Etymology
From Middle English aqueyntaunce, from Anglo-Norman aquaintaunce, aqueintance, Old French acointance (“friendship, familiarity”), from Old French acointier (“to acquaint”). Compare French accointance. Morphologically acquaint + -ance.
Example Sentences
- "I know of the man; but have no acquaintance with him."
- "Contract no friendſhip, or even acquaintance, with a guileful man : he reſembles a coal, which when hot burneth the hand, and when cold blacketh it."
- "Montgomery was an old acquaintance of Ferguson."
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