[a. Fr. acquiescence, n. of action f. acquiescer; see ACQUIESCE and -NCE.]
1. The action or condition of acquiescing; resting satisfied; rest, quiet satisfaction.
a. 1631. Donne, Selections (1840), 49. In the spirit of contentment, and acquiescence, and thankfulness to God.
a. 1667. Jer. Taylor, Serm., xx. On Chr. Prudence. That is most eligible, and most to be pursued which is … the acquiescence, the satisfaction and proper rest of our most reasonable appetites.
1867. J. Martineau, Chr. Life (ed. 4), 88. A life of worldly acquiescence … will not do.
2. Silent or passive assent to, or compliance with, proposals or measures.
1661. Bramhall, Just Vind., ii. 11. They confound obedience of acquiescence with obedience of conformity.
1775. Johnson, Tax. no Tyr., 7. Terrifying the English hearer to tame acquiescence.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. viii. 678. His policy was … to excite opposition to those whose acquiescence he failed in acquiring.
1845. Darwin, Voy. of Nat., viii. (1879), 157. The Chief Justice smiled acquiescence.
1875. Hamerton, Intell. Life, VII. vii. 261. Women live in an atmosphere of acquiescence which makes them intolerant of anything like bold and original thinking.
b. Const. in (with, to obs. or arch.).
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 18. By a content and acquiescence in every species of truth we embrace the shadow thereof.
1763. Wilkes, Corr. (1805), I. 228. Necessity … drove him to an entire acquiescence with every measure prescribed.
1794. Sullivan, View of Nat., I. 401. I yet cannot … implicitly yield an acquiescence to a superior faculty in the moon.
1856. Miss Winkworth, trans. Tauler’s Serm., xxii. 363. Free and full acquiescence to the will of God.
1866. Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. xxv. 624. Patient acquiescence in the enormous charges levied.
