acceptation
C2Formal, literary, legal, linguistic
Definition
Meaning
The established or generally understood meaning of a word or phrase; a particular sense or interpretation.
General approval or acceptance, particularly of a doctrine, idea, or opinion.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in linguistic and scholarly contexts to discuss the specific sense in which a term is understood, often distinguished from other possible meanings. Its second meaning, relating to acceptance of an idea, is now quite rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage between UK and US English. The word is equally formal and specialised in both varieties.
Connotations
Scholarly, precise, slightly archaic. Often implies a technical discussion about language meaning.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties. Primarily found in legal texts, philosophical writing, and linguistics.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the acceptation of [NOUN PHRASE]in the acceptation of [SPECIFIC FIELD][WORD] in its [ADJECTIVE] acceptationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In its legal acceptation”
- “in the common acceptation of the term”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially in contract law: 'The clause must be read in its legal acceptation.'
Academic
Primary domain. Used in linguistics, philosophy, and law to denote a specific, recognised meaning.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in semantics and lexicography to discuss established word senses.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The word 'run' has a different acceptation in computing than in athletics.
- In its common acceptation, 'theory' means a guess, but scientists use it differently.
- The judge clarified the legal acceptation of 'negligence' as defined by precedent.
- Philosophers often debate the precise acceptation of foundational terms like 'justice' or 'truth'.
- The term's technical acceptation in linguistics is narrower than its everyday use.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a word being 'accepted' in a certain way by a community of speakers. 'Acceptation' is the accepted meaning.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEANING IS A LOCATION (a word resides *in* a particular acceptation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'acceptance' (принятие, согласие). 'Acceptation' is almost exclusively about the meaning of words. The Russian cognate 'акцептация' is a false friend, relating to finance.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a fancy synonym for 'acceptance' (e.g., 'the acceptation of his proposal' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'acception', which is obsolete.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'acceptation' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While historically related, in modern English 'acceptation' almost exclusively refers to the specific, agreed-upon meaning of a word or phrase. 'Acceptance' refers to the act of agreeing to receive something or believing something to be true.
It is highly unlikely and would sound unnatural or pretentious. Use 'meaning', 'sense', or 'interpretation' instead.
'Acceptation' is the established, primary meaning of a term. 'Connotation' refers to the ideas or feelings a word suggests in addition to its primary meaning (e.g., 'home' connotes warmth and safety).
Yes, it is a standard, though specialised, term in legal writing used to specify the precise sense in which a word is to be understood within a statute or contract.