also acknowledgement (a spelling more in accordance with Eng. values of letters). [f. ACKNOWLEDGE v. + -MENT. An early instance of -ment added to an orig. Eng. vb.]
1. The act of acknowledging, confessing, admitting or owning; confession, avowal.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol. (1632), v. 394. To require acknowledgement with more than daily and ordinarie testifications of grief.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., IV. viii. 124. Yes Captaine: but with this acknowledgement, That God fought for vs.
1684. Manton, Serm., Wks. 1872, IX. 325. Now the act of faith is an assent, not knowledge but acknowledgment.
1686. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., I. 185. In case he give not an acknowledgment of his great abuse.
1792. Anecd. W. Pitt, III. xliv. 195. A formal acknowledgement of our errors … must precede every attempt to conciliate.
1825. J. Neal, Bro. Jonathan, III. 301. By which he can escape any acknowledgement of subordination.
† 2. Recognition, knowledge. Obs.
1616. Surflet & Markh., Countrey Farme, 123. To take acknowledgement of the loue that one Horse beareth towards another, and accordingly to set them one by another in the Stable.
3. The act of recognizing the position or claims of; owning or recognition in a particular character.
1611. Bible, Coloss. ii. 2. The acknowledgement of the mysterie of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.
1697. Snake in the Grass (ed. 2), 223. These Priests turned to every Power and every Government, as it turned; and made Addresses and Acknowledgments to every Change of Government.
1818. Jas. Mill, Hist. Brit. Ind. (ed. 4), I. I. ii. 58. All such places as owe acknowledgment to the Dutch.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 291. The king was, by … the recent and solemn acknowledgment of both houses of parliament, the sole captain general of this large force.
4. A formal declaration or avowal of an act or document, so as to give it legal validity.
1651. W. G., trans. Cowel’s Instit., 98. He payes a yearly Rent, by way of an acknowledgement of the Seigniorie.
1858. Ld. St. Leonards, Property Law, xiv. 93. The suit must be brought within twenty years next after the last of such acknowledgments, or the last of such payments (as the case may be).
Mod. Has there been any acknowledgement of indebtedness? This was a virtual acknowledgement of the contract.
5. The owning of a gift or benefit received, or of a message; grateful, courteous or due recognition.
1612. Dekker, in Wks. 1873, 261. Acknowledgement is part of payment sometimes.
1630. Lord, Banians, Ep. Ded. Let it be as an Attestate of my acknowledgments to you.
1747. W. Gould, English Ants, Ded. I am, with all Acknowledgment, your most Obliged Humble Servant, William Gould.
1769. Junius Lett., v. 27. You … may be satisfied with the warm acknowledgements he already owes you.
1775. Trumbull, in Sparks’ Cor. Am. Rev. (1853), I. 10. These instances of kindness claim my most grateful acknowledgments.
Mod. After so public an acknowledgement of his friend’s help.
6. Hence, The sensible sign, whereby anything received is acknowledged; something given or done in return for a favor or message, or a formal communication that we have received it.
1739. T. Sheridan, Persius, Ded. 3. I dedicate to you this Edition and Translation of Persius, as an Acknowledgment for the great pleasure you gave me.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. xvi. 133. To offer him some acknowledgment for his obliging conduct.
1881. Daily Tel., Dec. 27. The painter had to appear and bow his acknowledgments.
Mod. Take this as a small acknowledgement of my gratitude.
7. Comb. acknowledgment-money.
1717. Blount, Law Dict., s.v., Acknowledgment-money is a Sum of Money paid by some Tenants, at the Death of their Landlord, in Acknowledgment of their new one.
