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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
ACQUI'REMENT, n. The act of acquiring, or that which is acquired; attainment. It is used in opposition to natural gifts; as, eloquence, and skill in music and painting, are acquirement; genius, the gift of nature. it denotes especially personal attainments, in opposition to material or external things gained, Which are more usually called acquisitions; but this distinction is not always abserved.
The act
of acquiring, or that which is acquired; attainment.
"Rules for the
acquirement of a taste." Addison.
His acquirements by industry were . . . enriched and
enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature. Syn. -- Acquisition, Acquirement. Acquirement is used in opposition to a natural gift or talent; as, eloquence, and skill in music and painting, are acquirements; genius is the gift or endowment of nature. It denotes especially personal attainments, in opposition to material or external things gained, which are more usually called acquisitions; but this distinction is not always observed. | ||||||||