a. [a. Fr. acceptable, ad. L. acceptābil-is, vbl. adj. f. acceptāre. See ACCEPT and -ABLE. Orig. pronounced, according to the analogy of words in -ble from Fr. and L., a·cceptable, and so in all poets to the present day; but from the tendency to treat it as a direct derivative from the vb. acce·pt, as in advi·sable, mista·kable, deni·able, understa·ndable, the pronunciation acce·ptable is now more prevalent. So with the derivatives acceptably, -ableness. Sometimes compared acceptabler, -est.] Capable, worthy or likely to be accepted or gladly received; hence, pleasing, agreeable, gratifying or welcome.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sompn. T., 205. Oure prayeres … Ben to the hihe God mor acceptable Than youres.
1447. Bokenham, Lyvys of Seyntys (1835), 280. That the acceptabyllere the sacryfyse of hyr preyers to God myht alwey be.
1535. Coverdale, Mic. vi. 6. What acceptable thynge shal I offre vnto the Lorde?
1611. Bible, Deut. xxxiii. 24. And of Asher hee said,… Let him be acceptable to his brethren.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 139. This woman, whom thou mad’st to be my help … So fit, so acceptable, so divine.
1738. Wesley, Psalms (1765), cxviii. x. Now, send us now thy saving Grace, Make this the acceptable Hour.
1850. W. Irving, Goldsmith, xxix. 283. He was becoming more and more acceptable in ladies’ eyes.
1850. Mrs. Browning, Drama of Exile, I. 74. Found acceptable to the world instead of others of that name.
1861. Dickens, Gt. Expec., viii. 36. The bread and meat were acceptable, and the beer was warming.
