n.

1. a formal contractual relationship established to provide for regular banking or brokerage or business services;
   business relationship
   
   • he asked to see the executive who handled his account
2. the act of informing by verbal report;
   report
   
   • he heard reports that they were causing trouble
   • by all accounts they were a happy couple
3. a record or narrative description of past events;
   history, chronicle, story
   
   • a history of France
   • he gave an inaccurate account of the plot to kill the president
   • the story of exposure to lead
4. a short account of the news;
   report, news report, story, write up
   
   • the report of his speech
   • the story was on the 11 o'clock news
   • the account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
5. a statement of recent transactions and the resulting balance;
   accounting, account statement
   
   • they send me an accounting every month
6. a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.;
   explanation
   
   • the explanation was very simple
   • I expected a brief account
7. an itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered;
   bill, invoice
   
   • he paid his bill and left
   • send me an account of what I owe
8. grounds;
   score
   
   • don't do it on my account
   • the paper was rejected on account of its length
   • he tried to blame the victim but his success on that score was doubtful
9. importance or value
   
   • a person of considerable account
   • he predicted that although it is of small account now it will rapidly increase in importance
10. the quality of taking advantage
    
    • she turned her writing skills to good account

v.

1. be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something
   
   • Passing grades account for half of the grades given in this exam
2. keep an account of;
   calculate
3. to give an account or representation of in words;
   report, describe
   
   • Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
4. furnish a justifying analysis or explanation;
   answer for
   
   • I can't account for the missing money