acointer

make known

1 / 1

Two neighbors who know each other only slightly exchange a brief friendly wave while passing, no intimate embrace or close shared activity.

noun

acquaintance

uh-KWAYN-tuns/əˈkweɪntəns/

Familiarity gained through limited personal contact.

Etymology

acquaintOld Frenchmake known

+anceOld Frencha state, condition, or action

The pieces describe the state of knowing someone. This abstract sense of familiarity was then applied to the person known, providing the bridge to today's meaning of someone known but not closely.

Full entry

Related word entries

acquaintance