Obs. [a. Fr. acointant, later accointant, pr. pple. of accointer; see ACQUAINT v.] = ACQUAINTANCE 3; by which it has now been disadvantageously superseded; there has perhaps been some confusion between the pl. acquaintants, -ans, and the collective acquaintance.
1611. Cotgr., Rompre la paille avec, To fall out with a friend, companion, or familiar acquaintant.
1627. Feltham, Resolves, II. v. Wks. 1677, 169. If not for his own sake, yet for that of his children and acquaintants.
1694. R. L’Estrange, Fables, ccccliii. (ed. 6), 493. He finds his old Friend and Acquaintant.
1704. Swift, Tale of a Tub, I. 164 (1768). He and his readers are become old acquaintants.
