Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Acknowledge \Ac*knowl"edge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Acknowledged};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Acknowledging}.] [Prob. fr. pref. a- + the
   verb knowledge. See {Knowledge}, and cf. {Acknow}.]
   1. To of or admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or
      truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the
      being of a God.

            I acknowledge my transgressions.      --Ps. li. 3.

            For ends generally acknowledged to be good.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   2. To own or recognize in a particular character or
      relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give
      recognition to.

            In all thy ways acknowledge Him.      --Prov. iii.
                                                  6.

            By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee. --Shak.

   3. To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation;
      as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter.

            They his gifts acknowledged none.     --Milton.

   4. To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to
      give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to
      acknowledgea deed.

   Syn: To avow; proclaim; recognize; own; admit; allow;
        concede; confess.

   Usage: {Acknowledge}, {Recognize}. Acknowledge is opposed to
          keep back, or conceal, and supposes that something had
          been previously known to us (though perhaps not to
          others) which we now feel bound to lay open or make
          public. Thus, a man acknowledges a secret marriage;
          one who has done wrong acknowledges his fault; and
          author acknowledges his obligation to those who have
          aided him; we acknowledge our ignorance. Recognize
          supposes that we have either forgotten or not had the
          evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but
          that now we know it (as it were) anew, or receive and
          admit in on the ground of the evidence it brings.
          Thus, we recognize a friend after a long absence. We
          recognize facts, principles, truths, etc., when their
          evidence is brought up fresh to the mind; as, bad men
          usually recognize the providence of God in seasons of
          danger. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any
          kind, is recognized on the ground of his producing
          satisfactory credentials. See also {Confess}.