accept

Etymology

First attested about 1380. From Middle English accepten, borrowed from Old French accepter, or directly from Latin acceptō, acceptāre (“receive”), frequentative of accipiō, formed from ad- + capiō (“to take”). Displaced native Old English onfōn.

verb

1. (transitive) To receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.
   The Chinese say, that a little time afterwards she accepted of a treat in one of the neighbouring hills to which Shalum had invited her. 1714-08-25, Joseph Addison, “The Sequel of the Story of Shalum and Hilpa”, in The Spectator, number 585; republished in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq, volume 4, London: Jacob Tonson, 1721, page 112
2. (transitive) To admit to a place or a group.
   The Boy Scouts were going to accept him as a member.
3. (transitive) To regard as proper, usual, true, or to believe in.
   I accept the notion that Christ lived.
4. (transitive) To receive as adequate or satisfactory.
5. (transitive) To receive or admit to; to agree to; to assent to; to submit to.
   I accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
6. (transitive) To endure patiently.
   I accept my punishment.
7. (transitive) To acknowledge patiently without opposition or resistance.
   We need to accept the fact that restaurants are closed due to COVID-19 and that no amount of wishing or screaming will make them reopen any sooner.
8. (transitive, law, business) To agree to pay.
9. (transitive) To receive officially.
   to accept the report of a committee
10. (intransitive) To receive something willingly.

adj

1. (Early Modern, obsolete) Accepted.
   Pass our accept and peremptory answer. 1599, William Shakespeare, Henry V, V-ii