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s own act, to give it legal validity; as, the acknowledgment of a deed before a proper officer. Also, the certificate of the officer attesting such declaration. Acknowledgment money, in some parts of England, a sum paid by copyhold tenants, on the death of their landlords, as an acknowledgment of their new lords. Cowel…

ls, brazen tubes or vessels, shaped like a bell, used in ancient theaters to propel the voices of the actors, so as to render them audible to a great distance.

To communicate notice to; to inform; to make cognizant; -- followed by with (formerly, also, by of), or by that, introducing the intelligence; as, to acquaint a friend with the particulars of an act. Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love. Shak. I must acquaint you that I have received New dated letters from Northumbe…

which bars a further demand. You can produce acquittances For such a sum, from special officers. Shak.

corrodes or destroys others; also, a harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain plants. [Archaic] Bacon.

One who practices rope dancing, high vaulting, or other daring gymnastic feats.

deliberation; the decision or determination of a legislative body, council, court of justice, etc.; a decree, edit, law, judgment, resolve, award; as, an act of Parliament, or of Congress.

the performance of a function; as, the action of the heart, the muscles, or the gastric juice.

exertion; -- opposed to Ant: sedentary or to Ant: tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.

To carry out in practice; to perform. [Obs.] "To actuate what you command." Jer. Taylor.

Quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination. Selden.

Having nice discernment; perceiving or using minute distinctions; penetrating; clever; shrewd; -- opposed to Ant: dull or Ant: stupid; as, an acute observer; acute remarks, or reasoning.

In an acute manner; sharply; keenly; with nice discrimination.

The faculty of nice discernment or perception; acumen; keenness; sharpness; sensitiveness; -- applied to the senses, or the understanding. By acuteness of feeling, we perceive small objects or slight impressions: by acuteness of intellect, we discern nice distinctions. Perhaps, also, he felt his professional acuteness…

arge laid upon goods, at a certain rate per cent upon their value, as stated in their invoice, - - in opposition to a specific sum upon a given quantity or number; as, an ad valorem duty of twenty per cent.

Advice; exhortation. [Obs.] Peacham.

Pertaining to matters indifferent in faith and practice. Shipley.

n, of convened body; as, to adjourn the meeting; to adjourn a debate. It is a common practice to adjourn the reformation of their lives to a further time. Barrow. 'Tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day. Shak.

A person joined to another in some duty or service; a colleague; an associate. Wotton.

eing adjusted; act of bringing into proper relations; regulation. Success depends on the nicest and minutest adjustment of the parts concerned. Paley.