verb
account
To be answerable for something entrusted to one's care.
The treasurer must account for every donation received.
Etymology
Old French aconter meant to reckon or count. Being answerable preserves the image of rendering a reckoning: people must explain how they have handled what was entrusted to them.
More examples
- She accounted for the missing equipment at the meeting.
- They have accounted for all the money entrusted to them.
- He is accounting to the board for his decisions.
Forms
account · accounts · accounted · accounting