acquainted, ppl. a.
(əˈkweɪntɪd)
For forms see acquaint v.
[f. acquaint v. + -ed.]
1. Personally known; familiar, through being known. Const. to, unto. Obs. of person; arch. of things.
| c 1314 Guy Warw. 57 To an ermite he is y-go That he was ere aqueynted to. 1560 Phaër Eneid ix. B b 3 The horsmen kest themselues in crokings knowen of quainted ground. 1565 Jewel Repl. M. Harding (1611) 377 These authorities..be also plaine and euident, and well acquainted and knowen vnto the World. 1597 Shakes. 2 Hen. IV, v. ii. 139 That Warre, or Peace, or both at once may be As things acquainted and familiar to vs. 1627 Feltham Resolves i. xxxv. Wks. 1677, 60 Fram'd so, in an acquainted shape, to advantage his deceit the more. 1805 Southey Madoc in Aztl. xiv. Wks. V. 297 With cautious strength did Madoc aim attack, Mastering each moment now with abler sway, The acquainted sword. 1823 Lamb Elia ii. ix. (1865) 294 We are at home and upon acquainted ground. |
2. Personally known (to any one) and having personal knowledge (of him); having mutual knowledge. Const. with.
| c 1230 Ancren Riwle 218 Þet he beo wel akointed mid ou. c 1400 Rom. Rose 600 Aqueynted am I & pryve With Myrthe, lord of this gardyne. 1494 Fabyan v. cxxxiii. 117 An holy man, named Felix, y⊇ which he was firste acqueynted with in Fraunce. 1509 Hawes Past. Pl. xix. xiii, Tell me I pray you hertely..how were ye acquaynted? 1611 Shakes. Cymb. i. iv. 132, I pray you be better acquainted. 1779 Johnson L.P., Gay Wks. 1787 III. 204 [Pope] when he became acquainted with Gay..received him into his inmost confidence. 1882 Daily News 29 July 3/6 They had been some time acquainted, and walked out together. |
3. Having personal or experimental knowledge; possessed of personal knowledge, more or less complete. Const. with, rarely of (men or things).
| 1480 Ragman Roll 190 in Hazl. E.P.P. 177 Your hert ys roted in humylyté, And aquented nothing wyth his contrarye. 1535 Coverdale Isa. lxiii. 16 For Abraham knoweth vs not, nether is Israel acquainted with vs. 1611 Bible Isa. liii. 3 A man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefe. 1771 Junius Lett. xliv. 237 We have but one way left to make ourselves acquainted with it. 1836 Whately Let. in Life (1866) I. 346 Being sure of his being better acquainted than most people in England of the real state of Irish affairs. 1868 Geo. Eliot F. Holt 34 You have kept yourself..thoroughly acquainted with English politics. |
† 4. Familiarized by experience with, accustomed to. Obs.
| 1533 Bellendene Livy i. 107 (1822) The swetnes of native cuntre, to quhilk men bene nocht haistelie acquentit. 1623 Bingham Xenophon 71 It was a strong drinke..very pleasant to them that were acquainted with it. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. (1843) 692/2 A vulgar spirit, accustomed to no excesses, and acquainted only with a very moderate fortune. 1683 Tryon Way to Health 578 They'l be acquainted at Java and Japan..to understand their own Constitution. |
B. absol. quasi-n.
| 1577 Hellowes Gueuara's Fam. Ep. 257, I take my leaue of your friendship, and also to call you my acquainted. |