different between connection vs acquaintance

English

Alternative forms

• connexion (UK, dated), connex. (abbreviation)

Etymology

From Middle English conneccioun, connexioun, conneccyon, conneccion, from Latin connexionem (nominative connexio (“a conclusion, binding together”)), from connect?, an alternative spelling of c?nect? (“I bind together”), from compound of co- (“together”) and nect? (“I bind”)

In American English mid-18c., spelling shifted from connexion to connection (equivalent to connect +? -ion), thus making connexion British dated and connection in international use.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k??n?k??n/
• Rhymes: -?k??n

Noun

connection (countable and uncountable, plural connections)

1. (uncountable) The act of connecting.
2. The point at which two or more things are connected.

   the connection between overeating and obesity

   My headache has no connection with me going out last night.
3. A feeling of understanding and ease of communication between two or more people.

   As we were the only people in the room to laugh at the joke, I felt a connection between us.

4. An established communications or transportation link.

   computers linked by a network connection

   I was talking to him, but there was lightning and we lost the connection.

5. (transport) A transfer from one transportation vehicle to another in scheduled transportation service

   The bus was late so he missed his connection at Penn Station and had to wait six hours for the next train.

6. A kinship relationship between people.
7. An individual who is related to oneself, through either family or business.

   I have some connections in Lancashire.

8. (mathematics) A set of sets that contains the empty set, all one-element sets for any element that is included in any of the sets, and the union of any group of sets that are elements where the intersections of those sets is non-empty.
9. coherence; lack of disjointedness
10. (religion) The description for a Methodist denomination as a whole, as opposed to its constituent churches, circuits, districts and conferences.
11. sexual intercourse

Translations

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman aquaintaunce, aqueintance, Old French acointance (“friendship, familiarity”), from Old French acointer (“to acquaint”). Compare French accointance.

Morphologically acquaint +? -ance.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??kwe?nt?ns/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??kwe?n.t?ns/

Noun

acquaintance (countable and uncountable, plural acquaintances)

1. (uncountable) 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. [from 12th c.]

   I know of the man; but have no acquaintance with him.

   • 1799, William Jones (translator), Hito'pade'sa, in The Works, Volume 6, page 22:

     Contract no friend?hip, or even acquaintance, with a guileful man : he re?embles a coal, which when hot burneth the hand, and when cold blacketh it.

2. (countable) A person or persons with whom one is acquainted. [from 14th c.]
3. (uncountable) Such people collectively; one's circle of acquaintances (with plural concord). [from 15th c.]
   • 1792, Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, Penguin 2004, p. 230:

     Their mother […] was busy in the mean time in keeping up her connections, as she termed a numerous acquaintance, lest her girls should want a proper introduction into the great world.

4. Personal knowledge (with a specific subject etc.). [from 16th c.]

Usage notes

• Synonym notes: The words acquaintance, familiarity, and intimacy now mark different degrees of closeness in social intercourse. Acquaintance arises from occasional intercourse or interaction; as, "our acquaintance has been a brief one". We can speak of a slight or an intimate acquaintance. Familiarity is the result of continued acquaintance. It springs from persons being frequently together, so as to wear off all restraint and reserve; as, "the familiarity of old companions". Intimacy is the result of close connection, and the freest interchange of thought; as, "the intimacy of established friendship".

Synonyms

• familiarity, fellowship, intimacy, knowledge
• See also Thesaurus:acquaintance

Derived terms

• nodding acquaintance
• renew acquaintances

Related terms

• acquaint

Translations

References

• acquaintance in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• acquaintance at OneLook Dictionary Search