A state of being acquainted with a person; originally indicating friendship, intimacy, but now suggesting a slight knowledge less deep than that of friendship; acquaintanceship.
A person or persons with whom one is acquainted.
Such people collectively; one's circle of acquaintances (with plural concord).
From Middle English aqueyntaunce, from Anglo-Norman aquaintaunce, aqueintance, Old French acointance ("friendship, familiarity"), from Old French acointer ("to acquaint"). Compare French accointance.