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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Acquent, Acquant, v. Also: a-, auquent; (acqueynt), acquaynte, acquaint. [ME. acoynten (c 1300), aqueynte, etc., OF. acointer, late L. accognitāre: see Acquent,p.p.]

1. refl. To make (oneself) known or familiar with others. ?1438 Alex. i. 2841.
Thy fa Hes heir acquentit him with thé 15.. Clar. i. 786.
They have with the kingis court … Acquentit them c 1570 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxix. 90.
I wait nocht … be quhat mene with men me to acquent

b. tr. To make (a person) known to others; to introduce. 1600-1610 Melvill 139.
Coming in that countrey, I acquented him, and recommendit to all our frinds

2. To provide with information; to make acquainted with a fact, etc. 1606 7th Rep. Hist. MSS. 722/2.
According as ȝe sall be acquayntit with our forder pleasure 1611-57 Mure I. 164/25.
My Soule, acquent thy selfe this judgement to prevent 1619 Conv. Burghs III. 81.
That thai sall auquent thair borrowis thairwith 1639 Fam. Rose 325.
I admeir that … [nane] hade acquantit me therwith 1660 Johnston Diary 116.
[That] I should go and aquent the Countes therwith 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. 263.
Recomends … the councell … to be acquant tymouslie

3. intr. To make acquaintance. a1605 Montg. Son. xxix. 8.
The son of Venus … With Pennevs dochter hoping to acquent