Inform nobleman failing to make account dated (8)

I believe the answer is:

acquaint

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'inform nobleman failing' is the definition.
'acquaint' can be an answer for 'inform' (acquainting is a kind of informing). I'm not certain of the 'nobleman failing' bit.

'account dated' is the wordplay.
'account' becomes 'ac' (abbreviation for account).
'dated' becomes 'quaint' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ac'+'quaint'='ACQUAINT'

'to make' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for acquaint that I've seen before include "brief" , "Inform" , "American to introduce" , "Get familiar" , "get up to date" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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