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acknowledge
2 dictionary results for: Acknowledging
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ac·knowl·edge       [ak-nol-ij] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), -edged, -edg·ing.
1.to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of: to acknowledge one's mistakes.
2.to show or express recognition or realization of: to acknowledge an acquaintance by nodding.
3.to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of: The students acknowledged the authority of the student council.
4.to show or express appreciation or gratitude for: to acknowledge a favor.
5.to indicate or make known the receipt of: to acknowledge a letter.
6.to take notice of or reply to: to acknowledge a greeting.
7.Law. to confirm as binding or of legal force: to acknowledge a deed.
[Origin: 1475–85; acknowleche, appar. either ME aknou(en) to recognize (OE oncnāwan; see a-1, know) + -leche n. suffix (OE *-lǣce, by-form of -lac; cf. knowledge, wedlock); or b. aknouen and knouleche knowledge; then a- was mistaken for ac-]

—Related forms
ac·knowl·edge·a·ble, adjective
ac·knowl·edg·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. concede, confess, grant. Acknowledge, admit, confess agree in the idea of declaring something to be true. Acknowledge implies making a statement reluctantly, often about something previously denied: to acknowledge a fault. Admit especially implies acknowledging something under pressure: to admit a charge. Confess usually means stating somewhat formally an admission of wrongdoing, crime, or shortcoming: to confess guilt; to confess an inability to understand.
—Antonyms 1. deny, disclaim, disavow.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
ac·knowl·edge       (āk-nŏl'ĭj)  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   ac·knowl·edged, ac·knowl·edg·ing, ac·knowl·edg·es
    1. To admit the existence, reality, or truth of.
    2. To recognize as being valid or having force or power.
    3. To express recognition of: acknowledge a friend's smile.
    4. To express thanks or gratitude for.
    1. To express recognition of: acknowledge a friend's smile.
    2. To express thanks or gratitude for.
  3. To report the receipt of: acknowledge a letter.
  4. Law To accept or certify as legally binding: acknowledge a deed.


[Probably blend of Middle English knowlechen, to acknowledge (from knouen, to know; see know) and Middle English aknouen, to recognize (from Old English oncnāwan, to know : on-, on; see on + cnāwan, to know; see know).]

ac·knowl'edge·a·ble adj.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to admit the reality or truth of something, often reluctantly. To acknowledge is to accept responsibility for something one makes known: He acknowledged his mistake.
Admit implies reluctance in acknowledging one's acts or another point of view: "She was attracted by the frankness of a suitor who . . . admitted that he did not believe in marriage" (Edith Wharton).
Own stresses personal acceptance and responsibility: She owned that she feared for the child's safety.
Avow means to assert openly and boldly: "Old Mrs. Webb avowed that he, in the space of two hours, had worn out her pew more . . . than she had by sitting in it forty years" (Kate Douglas Wiggin).
Confess usually emphasizes disclosure of something damaging or inconvenient to oneself: I have to confess that I lied to you.
To concede is to intellectually accept something, often against one's will: The lawyer refused to concede that the two cases had similarities.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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