Annehmer

Annehmer is a German noun meaning “one who accepts.” It denotes the person who accepts an offer, invitation, or proposition, thereby participating in or enabling an agreement. In everyday language the term is relatively uncommon; it appears most often in legal or commercial contexts to designate the party that accepts the terms of a contract, order, or bid.

In contract law, the Annehmer is the party that accepts an offer, creating a binding contract if the acceptance conforms to the terms of the offer and is communicated in the required manner. The concept of acceptance and its formalities, such as timing and method, are central to determining when a contract comes into existence.

In banking and finance, Annehmer has a specialized meaning in relation to bills of exchange or promissory notes. The Annehmer is the drawee who accepts the bill by signing the instrument, thereby becoming liable to pay the stated amount at maturity. This acceptance converts the instrument into an enforceable obligation for the acceptor.

Etymology and usage notes: Annehmer is derived from the verb annehmen. The feminine form is Annehmerin, and the plural can be Annehmer or Annehmerinnen, depending on gender composition. The English equivalent is often rendered as acceptor; in German banking usage the term Annehmer is the established designation for the acceptor in a bill of exchange. The related noun Annahme means “acceptance.”