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v. ac·cept·ed, ac·cept·ing, ac·cepts v.tr. 1. a. To answer affirmatively: accept an invitation. b. To agree to take (a duty or responsibility). 2. To receive (something offered), especially with gladness or approval: accepted a glass of water; accepted their contract. 3. To admit to a group, organization, or place: accepted me as a new member of the club. 4. a. To regard as proper, usual, or right: Such customs are widely accepted. b. To regard as true; believe in: Scientists have accepted the new theory. c. To understand as having a specific meaning. 5. To endure resignedly or patiently: accept one's fate. 6. To be able to hold (something applied or inserted): This wood will not accept oil paints. 7. To receive officially: accept the committee's report. 8. To consent to pay, as by a signed agreement. 9. To take payment in the form of: a store that does not accept checks. 10. Medicine To receive (a transplanted organ or tissue) without immunological rejection. v.intr. To receive something, especially with favor. Often used with of. [Middle English accepten, from Latin acceptāre, frequentative of accipere, to receive : ad-, ad- + capere, to take; see kap- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] ac·cepter n. |
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