▪ I. acquist
(əˈkwɪst)
[a variant of acquest, after L. acquīsīt-um, med.L. acquīst-um, It. acquisto. Commonly used for the action, while acquest is more common for the result.]
1. The action of acquiring, acquisition, gain.
| 1613 Sir A. Sherley Trav. to Persia 7 The profite which must needs follow from so great an acquist. 1629 Bacon War with Spain in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) IV. 138 A nation, that is manifestly detected to aspire to monarchy and new acquists. 1650 Jer. Taylor Holy Liv. (1727) Pref. 2 Assist their endeavours in the acquist of vertues. a 1677 Barrow Serm. (1683) II. iii. 53 Let us therefore be exhorted, if we do want it [faith], to endeavour the acquist of it by all proper means. 1850 Browning Christmas Eve 213 How gladly! if I made acquist, Through the brief minute's fierce annoy, Of God's eternity of joy. 1851 Trench Poems 177 In the acquist of what is life's true gage. |
† 2. A thing acquired, an acquisition. Commonly written acquest. Obs.
| 1635 J. Hayward Banish'd Virgin 75 The parts neerest it were the Tingitans new acquists in Iberia. a 1677 Barrow in Beauties of Barrow (1846) 165 In the gifts of fortune, or in the acquists of industry. |
▪ II. † aˈcquist, v. Obs. rare—1.
[ad. It. acquistare or Sp. aquistar to acquire; f. med.L. acquīst-um:—cl. L. acquīsīt-um: see prec. and acquest.]
To gain for oneself, acquire.
| 1598 Barret Tehor. Warres ii. i. 28 He shall acquist and gaine the name..of a..vertuous and discreet Captaine. |