See Also: On Account(money)
no-account(dictionary)
account(2)(dictionary)
account(1)(dictionary)
Key Account(money)
TT&L account(money)
Account(money)
Account(finance)
Concentration account(finance)
Cash account(finance)

account(1) (iou)



account noun. Also (arch.) accompt. ME.
[Anglo-Norman acunt, Old French acont, later a(c)compt, formed as ACCOUNT verb.]
Counting, reckoning, calculation. ME.
T. Hardy My accompt of years outscored her own.
A statement of moneys, goods, or services received and expended, or other receipts and outgoings, with calculation of the balance. Also, a business arrangement involving the reckoning of debit or credit; esp. (a) one involving deferment of payment or (Stock Exchange) deferment of completion of a transaction until the next account day; (b) one involving the keeping of money or other assets in a bank etc., with the depositor having the option of withdrawal; (c) a credit arrangement with a firm, shop, etc. Also, a sum of money owed or one deposited in a bank etc. but subject to withdrawal. ME.
Thackeray Pen thought of opening an account with a banker.
b. A customer having such an arrangement. M20.
c. In pl. The department of a firm etc. that deals with accounts. M20.
A statement as to the discharge of any responsibility; an answering for conduct. ME.
Estimation, importance; consideration. LME.
Jonson A Scholler..of good accompt. Stevie Smith You are only one of many And of small account if any.
A particular statement of the administration of money in trust or required by a creditor. E16.
Goldsmith To give in his accompts to the masters of the temple.
Law. A writ or action against a bailiff, receiver, partner, etc., who wrongfully refuses to render account of money received. E16.
A narration, a report, a description; a performance (of a piece of music etc.). E17.
E. V. Lucas Has any reader ever found perfect accuracy in the newspaper account of any event of which he himself had inside knowledge?
A reckoning in one's favour; advantage. E17.
The preparing of a statement of money transactions. M17.
Gibbon The actual account employed several hundred persons.
Phrases: account current = current account below. budget account an account at a shop etc. with revolving credit and regular payments. by all accounts in everyone's opinion. call to account: see CALL verb. cast accounts make calculations. current account an account at a bank allowing withdrawal of money on demand, now usu. also providing the depositor with means of authorizing withdrawal of money by others. deposit account an account at a bank usu. paying interest and not able to be drawn upon without notice or requiring the depositor to apply for repayment in person. for account of to be accounted for to (a person). for the account Stock Exchange not for cash, but for settlement on the next account day. give a good account of be successful with; do justice to. go to one's account die. joint account: held by two or more people in conjunction. keep accounts record expenditure for comparison with income. lay one's account with, lay one's account on, lay one's account for (orig. Scot.) reckon upon, expect. leave out of account not take into consideration, disregard. make account reckon, resolve, expect (that, to do). make account of esteem. money of account a denomination of money used in reckoning, but not current as coins etc. nominal account: see NOMINAL adjective. numbered account: see NUMBER verb. on account to be accounted for at the final settlement; not to be paid for immediately; as interim payment. on account of (a) because of; (b) concerning. on no account under no circumstances; certainly not. on one's own account for one's own purpose and at one's own risk. on someone's account so that it is chargeable to him or her; to benefit him or her. render an account, send in an account give a statement of money due. settle accounts (with), square accounts (with) receive or pay the balance due (from or to); fig. have revenge (on). take account of, take into account take into consideration, notice. turn to account, turn to good account: see TURN verb. unit of account: see UNIT noun1. vote on account: see VOTE noun 5.
Comb.: account book a book prepared for the keeping of accounts; account day a day of reckoning; Stock Exchange the day on which accounts are settled; account executive = accounts executive below; accounts department = sense 2c above; accounts executive a business executive, esp. in advertising, who manages a client's account.