well-accepted
Meaning
Generally approved or agreed upon; widely recognized as valid or good.
Structure
Usage
The theory is now well-accepted in the scientific community.
It is a well-accepted principle that honesty is the best policy.
Her proposal was well-accepted by the committee members.
Etymology
The word 'well-accepted' is a modern English compound adjective formed by combining the intensifying adverb 'well' with the past participle of the verb 'accept'. The core verb 'accept' entered English via Old French from Latin 'acceptare', meaning 'to take or receive willingly', itself derived from 'ad-' (to) and 'capere' (to take). The Old English adverb 'well', meaning 'in a good manner', is used here to amplify the degree of reception. Thus, the literal construction "thoroughly received" logically evolved to describe an idea, practice, or person that has been received favorably and gained broad approval.
Analysis
well: Old English origin, from the adverb 'wel' meaning 'in a good way, satisfactorily, thoroughly'. In this compound, it functions as an intensifying prefix. accept: Latin origin, from 'acceptare', a frequentative of 'accipere' (to take, receive). It functions as the core verb root meaning 'to receive willingly'. ed: Old English origin, a past participle suffix used to form adjectives from verbs, indicating a state or condition.