n.
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French acunter, from a- (fr. Latin ad- ) + cunter to count
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to think of as : CONSIDER < account s himself lucky>
2 : to probe into : ANALYZE
intransitive verb
1 : to furnish a justifying analysis or explanation ― used with for <couldn't account for the loss>
2 a : to be the sole or primary factor ― used with for <the pitcher account ed for all three putouts> b : to bring about the capture, death, or destruction of something ― used with for < account ed for two rabbits>