acquirement (akwirment)

1. The act of acquiring; especially, the gaining of knowledge or mental attributes. It is very difficult to lay down rules for the acquirement of such a taste. Add is on , Spectator, No. 409. 2. That which is acquired; attainment: commonly in the plural. His acquirements by industry were enriched and enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature. Sir J. Hayward, Raigne of Edward VI. = Syn. 1. Gathering, gaining.-2. Acquirements, Acqui sitions, Attainments, Accomplishments, Endowments, Enduements; gain, resources. Acquisitions is the most general term, but it is gradually being restricted to material gains. Attainments denotes exclusively intellectual or moral acquisitions: as, a man of great attainments; his spiritual attainments were high. Acquirements has nearly the same meaning as attainments, though it is sometimes loosely used as equivalent to acquisitions; it has more direct reference to particular things acquired: as, skill in boxing was among his acquirements. Accom plishments are attainments or acquirements, particularly such as fit the po e or for society: as, French, dancing, and music were the sum of her accomplishments. Endowments are the gifts of nature, as genius or aptitude. Enduements are endowments, acquirements, or attainments in the field of moral and spiritual life, but they are opposed to attainments in being regarded as gifts from heaven rather than as the result of personal endeavor. See endue2. When you are disposed to be vain of your mental ac quirements, look up to those who are more accomplished than yourself. Interference has been sanctioned, Dr. J. Moore. either in the purely domestic concerns of a nation, or with respect to its foreign relations and territorial acquisitions. Encyc. Brit ., XIII. 192. It is in general more profitable to reckon up our defects than to boast of our attainments. Carlyle , E ays. I danced the polka and cellar i us, Spun gla , stuffed birds, and modeled flowers in wax, Because she liked accomplishments in girls. Mrs. Browning, Aurora Leigh, i. 1. He ought to think no man valuable but for his public spirit, justice, and integrity; and all other endowments to be esteemed only as they contribute to the exerting those virtues. Steele , Spectator, No. 340. One who acquires.