̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷tən(t)s noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French, from accepter to accept + -ance
1. : the act of accepting
acceptance of an offer
: favorable reception
acceptance by society
: approval
the theory found wide acceptance
: acquiescence
passive acceptance
2. : the quality or state of being accepted or acceptable or especially of being received favorably or with approval : acceptability
some men cannot be fools with so good acceptance as others — Robert South
3. : an agreeing either expressly or by conduct to the act or offer of another so that a contract is concluded and the parties become legally bound — compare contract , meeting of the minds , offer
4.
a. : the act of accepting a time draft or bill of exchange for payment when due according to the specified terms, the drawee usually indicating acceptance by writing accepted and his signature across the face of the draft or bill
b. : a draft or bill of exchange drawn by the seller either on the purchaser or on a bank in accordance with previous arrangement made with it by the buyer for the purchase price of the goods — see bank acceptance , trade acceptance
5. : acceptation 2
6. acceptances plural , Britain : entries in a horse race the handicap weights for which have been accepted by the owners or their agents
7. : the period during which the female especially of a domestic mammal will permit copulation : heat , estrus