accept
/əkˈsɛpt/
verb
Origin
Latin
acceptāre — to receive
Overview
Meaning Now
- To receive something offered or given willingly.
- To agree to or consent to an idea, situation, or proposal.
- To believe or recognize something as valid or true.
Literal older meaning
to take to (oneself)
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
accepten
Earliest period
circa 1380
Journey
The word entered English during a period of heavy French influence in administrative and legal contexts. It replaced the Old English 'onfōn' (to receive/take).
Evolution
- Classical Latin
accipiō
“to take, receive”
Composed of 'ad' (to) and 'capiō' (to take).
- Late Latin
acceptāre
“to receive”
Frequentative form of accipiō.
- Old French
accepter
“to receive”
Adopted into the French language from Latin.
- Middle English
accepten
“to receive, take”
Borrowed into English during the 14th century.
- Modern English
accept
“to agree to or receive”
Standardized spelling and usage.
Connections
Word parts
ac-
prefix
to/towards (assimilated from 'ad-')
cept
root
to take (from 'capere')
Related across languages
French
accepter
to accept
Spanish
aceptar
to accept
Italian
accettare
to accept
Related words
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Related to accept
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.