ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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verb

acquaint

uh-KWAYNT/əˈkweɪnt/

To make someone familiar with someone or something.

She acquaints the newcomer with the office coffee machine.

Coworker shows a newcomer how to use a simple office coffee machine, pointing to its single button while newcomer watches, becoming familiar with equipment; no labels.

Etymology

acLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+quaintLatincome to know or recognize

The Latin combination meant “know well.” The English verb shifted from making oneself known to furnishing other people with knowledge—the basis of making them familiar with something.

In context

Kulturwerk studierendenWERK BERLIN0:42

can you acquaint us with the responsibilities of a dormitory tutor a dormitory tutor should at first welcome the new residents in the dorm

Let’s Talk With... a Dormitory Tutor at the STW Berlin

More examples

Please acquaint yourself with the safety procedures.
She acquainted the new employee with the office routine.
The meeting helps acquaint everyone with the proposed changes.

Forms

acquaint · acquaints · acquainted · acquainting

Similar words

familiarize: Directly means helping someone learn enough to recognize or understand.
introduce: Introduce begins familiarity; acquaint can provide fuller information about a person or subject.