Admits or recognizes that something is true; expresses thanks or appreciation for something.
From 'ac-' (to) plus 'knowledge' (from Old English 'cnawan,' to know). It evolved from meaning 'to admit knowledge of' to its modern sense.
The word 'acknowledge' used to literally mean 'to know about'—now it means to publicly recognize something, which is why authors acknowledge people in their books and why an 'acknowledge' button means 'I've seen this message'!
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