acquaint
UK: əˈkweɪnt | US: əˈkweɪnt
vt. to make someone aware of or familiar with something
vt. to introduce someone to another person
acquaint = ac<to, toward> + quaint<known>
- ac (prefix): from Latin "ad," meaning "to" or "toward."
- quaint (root): from Old French "cointe," meaning "known" or "familiar," derived from Latin "cognitus" (past participle of "cognoscere," meaning "to know").
Etymology Origin:
The word "acquaint" traces back to Latin "ad-" (toward) + "cognitus" (known), evolving through Old French "acointer" (to make known). Over time, the prefix "ad-" assimilated to "ac-" before "quaint," preserving the sense of "making someone familiar with something." The root "quaint" originally meant "known" but later shifted to its modern meaning of "charmingly old-fashioned," leaving "acquaint" with its core sense of familiarity.
She took time to acquaint herself with the new software.
Let me acquaint you with our team members.
The guide acquainted the tourists with local customs.
He was fully acquainted with the rules before joining.
The book aims to acquaint readers with basic philosophy.