Definition of: acknowledge

(ak·nol′ij) v. ·edged, ·edg·ing v.t.
1. To own or admit as true; confess: He acknowledged his ignorance.
2. To recognize as or avow to be: The savages acknowledged the idol as their god.
3. To declare or admit the authority of, as a claim or right.
4. Law To assent to the validity of; certify: She acknowledged the service of a writ.
5. To own or admit as implying obligation or incurring responsibility: He acknowledged his debts to all his creditors.
6. To show appreciation of; thank for: I acknowledged the favor graciously.
7. To report and respond to the receipt or arrival of: Her secretary acknowledged our letter.
—v.i.
8. In card games, to respond to a partner's bid so as to indicate a weak hand. [Earlier aknowledge < obs. aknow admit, confess (OE oncnāwan) + knowledge, v., admit]
—ac·knowl′edge·a·ble adjective
—ac·knowl′edg·er noun Synonyms: accept, admit, avow, certify, concede, confess, endorse, grant, own, profess, recognize. See AVOW, CONFESS. Antonyms: deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, repudiate.