Know KNOW, v.t. no. pret. knew; pp. known. [L. nosco, cognosco, Gr. although much varied in orthography. Nosco makes novi, which, with g or c prefixed, gnovi or cnovi, would coincide with know, knew. So L. cresco, crevi, coincides with grow, grew. The radical sense of knowing is generally to take, receive, or hold.]
1. To perceive with certainty; to understand clearly; to have a clear and certain perception of truth, fact, or any thing that actually exists. To know a thing pre
includes all doubt or uncertainty of its existence. We know what we see with our eyes, or perceive by other senses. We know that fire and water are different substances. We know that truth and falsehood express ideas incompatible with each other. We know that a circle is not a square. We do not know the truth of reports, nor can we always know what to believe.
2. To be informed of; to be taught. It is not unusual for us to say we know things from information, when we rely on the veracity of the informer.
3. To distinguish; as, to know one man from another. We know a fixed star from a planet by its twinkling.
4. To recognize by recollection, remembrance, representation or description. We do not always know a person after a long absence. We sometimes know a man by having seen his portrait, or having heard him described.
5. To be no stranger to; to be familiar. This man is well known to us.
6. In scripture, to have sexual commerce with. Gen 4.
7. To approve.
The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous. Psa 1.
8. To learn. Prov 1.
9. To acknowledge with due respect. 1 Th 5.
10. To choose; to favor or take an interest in. Amos 3.
11. To commit; to have.
He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2Cor.
12. To have full assurance of; to have satisfactory evidence of any thing, though short of certainty.
KNOW, v.i. no.
1. To have clear and certain perception; not to be doubtful; sometimes with of.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7.
2. To be informed.
Sir John must not know of it.
3. To take cognizance of; to examine.
Know of your youth - examine well your blood.

know n 1: the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people; "he is always in the know" v 1: be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about; "I know that the President lied to the people"; "I want to know who is winning the game!"; "I know it's time" [syn: know, cognize, cognise] [ant: ignore] 2: know how to do or perform something; "She knows how to knit"; "Does your husband know how to cook?" 3: be aware of the truth of something; have a belief or faith in something; regard as true beyond any doubt; "I know that I left the key on the table"; "Galileo knew that the earth moves around the sun" 4: be familiar or acquainted with a person or an object; "She doesn't know this composer"; "Do you know my sister?"; "We know this movie"; "I know him under a different name"; "This flower is known as a Peruvian Lily" 5: have firsthand knowledge of states, situations, emotions, or sensations; "I know the feeling!"; "have you ever known hunger?"; "I have lived a kind of hell when I was a drug addict"; "The holocaust survivors have lived a nightmare"; "I lived through two divorces" [syn: know, experience, live] 6: accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority; "The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne"; "We do not recognize your gods" [syn: acknowledge, recognize, recognise, know] 7: have fixed in the mind; "I know Latin"; "This student knows her irregular verbs"; "Do you know the poem well enough to recite it?" 8: have sexual intercourse with; "This student sleeps with everyone in her dorm"; "Adam knew Eve"; "Were you ever intimate with this man?" [syn: sleep together, roll in the hay}, love, make out, make love, sleep with, get laid}, have sex, know, do it, be intimate, have intercourse}, have it away, have it off, screw, fuck, jazz, eff, hump, lie with, bed, have a go at it, bang, get it on, bonk] 9: know the nature or character of; "we all knew her as a big show-off" 10: be able to distinguish, recognize as being different; "The child knows right from wrong" 11: perceive as familiar; "I know this voice!"

know wonk

know nəu See: FOR ALL ONE KNOWS, GOD KNOWS or GOODNESS KNOWS or HEAVEN KNOWS, IN THE KNOW, NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO TURN or NOT KNOW WHICH WAY TO JUMP.

know I. verb (knew; known; knowing) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English cnāwan; akin to Old High German bichnāan to recognize, Latin gnoscere, noscere to come to know, Greek gignōskein Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. (1) to perceive directly ; have direct cognition of (2) to have understanding of <importance of knowing oneself> (3) to recognize the nature of ; discern b. (1) to recognize as being the same as something previously known (2) to be acquainted or familiar with (3) to have experience of 2. a. to be aware of the truth or factuality of ; be convinced or certain of b. to have a practical understanding of <knows how to write> 3. archaic to have sexual intercourse with intransitive verb 1. to have knowledge 2. to be or become cognizant — sometimes used interjectionally with you especially as a filler in informal speech • knowable adjective • knower noun II. noun Date: 1592 knowledge

know
v. & n.
--v. (past knew; past part. known)
1 tr. (often foll. by that, how, what, etc.) a have in the mind; have learnt; be able to recall (knows a lot about cars; knows what to do). b (also absol.) be aware of (a fact) (he knows I am waiting; I think he knows). c have a good command of (a subject or language) (knew German; knows his tables).
2 tr. be acquainted or friendly with (a person or thing).
3 tr. a recognize; identify (I knew him at once; knew him for an American). b (foll. by to + infin.) be aware of (a person or thing) as being or doing what is specified (knew them to be rogues). c (foll. by from) be able to distinguish (one from another) (did not know him from Adam).
4 tr. be subject to (her joy knew no bounds).
5 tr. have personal experience of (fear etc.).
6 tr. (as known adj.) a publicly acknowledged (a known thief; a known fact). b Math. (of a quantity etc.) having a value that can be stated.
7 intr. have understanding or knowledge.
8 tr. archaic have sexual intercourse with.
--n. (in phr. in the know) colloq. well-informed; having special knowledge.
Phrases and idioms:
all one knows (or knows how)
1 all one can (did all he knew to stop it).
2 adv. to the utmost of one's power (tried all she knew). before one knows where one is with baffling speed.
be not to know
1 have no way of learning (wasn't to know they'd arrive late).
2 be not to be told (she's not to know about the party). don't I know it! colloq. an expression of rueful assent. don't you know colloq. or joc. an expression used for emphasis (such a bore, don't you know). for all (or aught) I know so far as my knowledge extends. have been known to be known to have done (they have been known to not turn up). I knew it! I was sure that this would happen. I know what I have a new idea, suggestion, etc. know about have information about. know-all colloq. a person who seems to know everything. know best be or claim to be better informed etc. than others. know better than (foll. by that, or to + infin.) be wise, well-informed, or well-mannered enough to avoid (specified behaviour etc.).
know by name
1 have heard the name of.
2 be able to give the name of. know by sight recognize the appearance (only) of. know how know the way to do something.
know-how n.
1 practical knowledge; technique, expertise.
2 natural skill or invention. know-it-all = know-all.
know-nothing
1 an ignorant person.
2 an agnostic. know of be aware of; have heard of (not that I know of). know one's own mind be decisive, not vacillate. know the ropes (or one's stuff) be fully knowledgeable or experienced. know a thing or two be experienced or shrewd. know what's what have adequate knowledge of the world, life, etc. know who's who be aware of who or what each person is. not if I know it only against my will. not know that ... colloq. be fairly sure that ... not (I don't know that I want to go). not know what hit one be suddenly injured, killed, disconcerted, etc. not want to know refuse to take any notice of. what do you know (or know about that)? colloq. an expression of surprise.
you know colloq.
1 an expression implying something generally known or known to the hearer (you know, the pub on the corner).
2 an expression used as a gap-filler in conversation. you know something (or what)? I am going to tell you something. you-know-what (or -who) a thing or person unspecified but understood. you never know nothing in the future is certain.
Derivatives:
knowable adj. knower n.
Etymology: OE (ge)cnawan, rel. to CAN(1), KEN

know (knows, knowing, knew, known) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If you know a fact, a piece of information, or an answer, you have it correctly in your mind. I don't know the name of the place... 'People like doing things for nothing.'—'I know they do.'... I don't know what happened to her husband... 'How did he meet your mother?'—'I don't know.'... We all know about his early experiments in flying... They looked younger than I knew them to be... It is not known whether the bomb was originally intended for the capital itself... It's always been known that key figures in the government do very well for themselves. VERB: no cont, V n, V that, V wh, V, V about n/-ing, V n to-inf, it be V-ed wh, it be V-ed that 2. If you know someone, you are familiar with them because you have met them and talked to them before. Gifford was a friend. I'd known him for nine years... Do you two know each other?... VERB: no cont, V n, V n 3. If you say that you know of something, you mean that you have heard about it but you do not necessarily have a lot of information about it. We know of the incident but have no further details... I know of no one who would want to murder Albert. VERB: no cont, V of n, V of n 4. If you know about a subject, you have studied it or taken an interest in it, and understand part or all of it. Hire someone with experience, someone who knows about real estate... She didn't know anything about music but she liked to sing. VERB: no cont, V about n, V amount about n 5. If you know a language, you have learned it and can understand it. It helps to know French and Creole if you want to understand some of the lyrics... VERB: no cont, V n 6. If you know something such as a place, a work of art, or an idea, you have visited it, seen it, read it, or heard about it, and so you are familiar with it. No matter how well you know Paris, it is easy to get lost... VERB: no cont, V n 7. If you know how to do something, you have the necessary skills and knowledge to do it. The health authorities now know how to deal with the disease... We know what to do to make it work. VERB: no cont, V wh to-inf, V wh to-inf 8. You can say that someone knows that something is happening when they become aware of it. Then I saw a gun under the hall table so I knew that something was wrong... The first I knew about it was when I woke up in the ambulance. VERB: no cont, V that, V about n 9. If you know something or someone, you recognize them when you see them or hear them. Would she know you if she saw you on the street?... VERB: no cont, V n 10. If someone or something is known as a particular name, they are called by that name. The disease is more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease... He was born as John Birks Gillespie, but everyone knew him as Dizzy... He was the only boy in the school who was known by his Christian name and not his surname. ...British Nuclear Fuels, otherwise known as BNFL. VERB: no cont, be V-ed as n, V n as n, V n by n, V-ed 11. If you know someone or something as a person or thing that has particular qualities, you consider that they have those qualities. Lots of people know her as a very kind woman... VERB: V n as n 12. see also knowing, known 13. If you talk about a thing or system as we know it, you are referring to the form in which it exists now and which is familiar to most people. He planned to end the welfare system as we know it. PHRASE: n PHR 14. If you get to know someone, you find out what they are like by spending time with them. The new neighbours were getting to know each other... PHRASE: get inflects, PHR n 15. People use expressions such as goodness knows, Heaven knows, and God knows when they do not know something and want to suggest that nobody could possibly know it. (INFORMAL) 'Who's he?'—'God knows.' PHRASE: PHR as reply, PHR wh 16. You say 'I know' to show that you agree with what has just been said. 'This country is so awful.'—'I know, I know.' CONVENTION 17. You say 'I know' to show that you accept that something is true, but think that it is not very important or relevant. 'There are trains straight from Cambridge.'—'I know, but it's no quicker.' CONVENTION 18. You use 'I know' to express sympathy and understanding towards someone. I know what you're going through. PHRASE: PHR wh/that 19. You can use I don't know to indicate that you do not completely agree with something or do not really think that it is true. 'He should quite simply resign.'—'I don't know about that.' PHRASE: usu PHR about n, PHR that 20. You can say 'I don't know about you' to indicate that you are going to give your own opinion about something and you want to find out if someone else feels the same. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hungry... PHRASE: PHR but cl 21. You use I don't know in expressions which indicate criticism of someone's behaviour. For example, if you say that you do not know how someone can do something, you mean that you cannot understand or accept them doing it. I don't know how he could do this to his own daughter... PHRASE: PHR wh [disapproval] 22. People sometimes use expressions such as I'm blessed if I know or damned if I know to emphasize the fact that they do not know something. (INFORMAL) 'What was that all about?'—'Darned if I know.' PHRASE: oft PHR as reply, PHR wh [emphasis] 23. If you are in the know about something, especially something that is not known about or understood by many people, you have information about it. It was gratifying to be in the know about important people... PHRASE: usu v-link PHR 24. You can use expressions such as you know what I mean and if you know what I mean to suggest that the person listening to you understands what you are trying to say, and so you do not have to explain any more. (SPOKEN) None of us stayed long. I mean, the atmosphere wasn't–well, you know what I mean... CONVENTION 25. You say 'You never know' or 'One never knows' to indicate that it is not definite or certain what will happen in the future, and to suggest that there is some hope that things will turn out well. You never know, I might get lucky... CONVENTION [vagueness] 26. You say 'Not that I know of' when someone has asked you whether or not something is true and you think the answer is 'no' but you cannot be sure because you do not know all the facts. 'Is he married?'—'Not that I know of.' CONVENTION [vagueness] 27. You can use expressions such as What does she know? and What do they know? when you think that someone has no right to comment on a situation because they do not understand it. Don't listen to him, what does he know?... PHRASE: oft PHR about n [disapproval] 28. You use you know to emphasize or to draw attention to what you are saying. (SPOKEN) The conditions in there are awful, you know... You know, it does worry me. CONVENTION [emphasis] 29. You use you know when you are trying to explain more clearly what you mean, by referring to something that the person you are talking to knows about. (SPOKEN) Wear the white dress, you know, the one with all the black embroidery. CONVENTION 30. You can say 'You don't know' in order to emphasize how strongly you feel about the remark you are going to make. (SPOKEN) You don't know how good it is to speak to somebody from home. PHRASE: PHR wh [emphasis] 31. to know best: see best to know better: see better to know no bounds: see bound to know something for a fact: see fact as far as I know: see far not to know the first thing about something: see first to know full well: see full to let someone know: see let not to know the meaning of the word: see meaning to know your own mind: see mind to know the ropes: see rope

know nəu v. & n. --v. (past knew; past part. known) 1 tr. (often foll. by that, how, what, etc.) a have in the mind; have learnt; be able to recall (knows a lot about cars; knows what to do). b (also absol.) be aware of (a fact) (he knows I am waiting; I think he knows). c have a good command of (a subject or language) (knew German; knows his tables). 2 tr. be acquainted or friendly with (a person or thing). 3 tr. a recognize; identify (I knew him at once; knew him for an American). b (foll. by to + infin.) be aware of (a person or thing) as being or doing what is specified (knew them to be rogues). c (foll. by from) be able to distinguish (one from another) (did not know him from Adam). 4 tr. be subject to (her joy knew no bounds). 5 tr. have personal experience of (fear etc.). 6 tr. (as known adj.) a publicly acknowledged (a known thief; a known fact). b Math. (of a quantity etc.) having a value that can be stated. 7 intr. have understanding or knowledge. 8 tr. archaic have sexual intercourse with. --n. (in phr. in the know) colloq. well-informed; having special knowledge. øall one knows (or knows how) 1 all one can (did all he knew to stop it). 2 adv. to the utmost of one's power (tried all she knew). before one knows where one is with baffling speed. be not to know 1 have no way of learning (wasn't to know they'd arrive late). 2 be not to be told (she's not to know about the party). don't I know it! colloq. an expression of rueful assent. don't you know colloq. or joc. an expression used for emphasis (such a bore, don't you know). for all (or aught) I know so far as my knowledge extends. have been known to be known to have done (they have been known to not turn up). I knew it! I was sure that this would happen. I know what I have a new idea, suggestion, etc. know about have information about. know-all colloq. a person who seems to know everything. know best be or claim to be better informed etc. than others. know better than (foll. by that, or to + infin.) be wise, well-informed, or well-mannered enough to avoid (specified behaviour etc.). know by name 1 have heard the name of. 2 be able to give the name of. know by sight recognize the appearance (only) of. know how know the way to do something. know-how n. 1 practical knowledge; technique, expertise. 2 natural skill or invention. know-it-all = know-all. know-nothing 1 an ignorant person. 2 an agnostic. know of be aware of; have heard of (not that I know of). know one's own mind be decisive, not vacillate. know the ropes (or one's stuff) be fully knowledgeable or experienced. know a thing or two be experienced or shrewd. know what's what have adequate knowledge of the world, life, etc. know who's who be aware of who or what each person is. not if I know it only against my will. not know that ... colloq. be fairly sure that ... not (I don't know that I want to go). not know what hit one be suddenly injured, killed, disconcerted, etc. not want to know refuse to take any notice of. what do you know (or know about that)? colloq. an expression of surprise. you know colloq. 1 an expression implying something generally known or known to the hearer (you know, the pub on the corner). 2 an expression used as a gap-filler in conversation. you know something (or what)? I am going to tell you something. you-know-what (or -who) a thing or person unspecified but understood. you never know nothing in the future is certain. øøknowable adj. knower n. [OE (ge)cnawan, rel. to CAN(1), KEN]

Know \Know\, v. i. 1. To have knowledge; to have a clear and certain perception; to possess wisdom, instruction, or information; -- often with of. Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. --Is. i. 3. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. --John vii. 17. The peasant folklore of Europe still knows of willows that bleed and weep and speak when hewn. --Tylor. 2. To be assured; to feel confident. To know of, to ask, to inquire. [Obs.] `` Know of your youth, examine well your blood.'' --Shak.

Know \Know\, n. Knee. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Know \Know\, v. t. [imp. Knew; p. p. Known; p. pr. & vb. n. Knowing.] [OE. knowen, knawen, AS. cn["a]wan; akin to OHG. chn["a]an (in comp.), Icel. kn["a] to be able, Russ, znate to know, L. gnoscere, noscere, Gr. ?, Skr. jn?; fr. the root of E. can, v. i., ken. (?). See Ken, Can to be able, and cf. Acquaint, Cognition, Gnome, Ignore, Noble, Note.] 1. To perceive or apprehend clearly and certainly; to understand; to have full information of; as, to know one's duty. O, that a man might know The end of this day's business ere it come! --Shak. There is a certainty in the proposition, and we know it. --Dryden. Know how sublime a thing it is To suffer and be strong. --Longfellow. 2. To be convinced of the truth of; to be fully assured of; as, to know things from information. 3. To be acquainted with; to be no stranger to; to be more or less familiar with the person, character, etc., of; to possess experience of; as, to know an author; to know the rules of an organization. He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. --2 Cor. v. 21. Not to know me argues yourselves unknown. --Milton. 4. To recognize; to distinguish; to discern the character of; as, to know a person's face or figure. Ye shall know them by their fruits. --Matt. vil. 16. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him. --Luke xxiv. 31. To know Faithful friend from flattering foe. --Shak. At nearer view he thought he knew the dead. --Flatman. 5. To have sexual commerce with. And Adam knew Eve his wife. --Gen. iv. 1. Note: Know is often followed by an objective and an infinitive (with or without to) or a participle, a dependent sentence, etc. And I knew that thou hearest me always. --John xi. 42. The monk he instantly knew to be the prior. --Sir W. Scott. In other hands I have known money do good. --Dickens. To know how, to understand the manner, way, or means; to have requisite information, intelligence, or sagacity. How is sometimes omitted. `` If we fear to die, or know not to be patient.'' --Jer. Taylor.

know I. v. a. 1. Perceive, apprehend, comprehend, understand, discern, be aware of, be assured of, be sure or certain of, see through, make out. 2. Recognize. 3. Be acquainted with, have an acquaintance with, be familiar with. 4. Distinguish, discriminate. 5. (Psychol.) Cognize. II. v. n. 1. Have knowledge, cognize, exercise cognition. 2. Be informed, be made aware. 3. Be sure, feel certain.

know nəu v. 1 understand, comprehend, be familiar with, grasp, be acquainted with, be versed or skilled in: Do you know anything about nuclear physics? I know Italian fairly well. She knows how to dance the tango. 2 recognize, identify, recall, remember, recollect: I know him from somewhere. 3 be sure or certain or positive: I knew I was right! I just know I'm going to win the first prize. 4 distinguish, separate, discern, differentiate, recognize, identify: Charles doesn't know right from wrong. 5 be aware or conscious or cognizant of, be informed or advised of, have knowledge of: He knows that he cannot fire her because she knows too much.

173 Moby Thesaurus words for "know": absorb, account, acquaintance, aller sans dire, announcement, appreciate, apprehend, assimilate, associate with, be acquainted with, be apprised of, be aware of, be axiomatic, be certain, be cognizant of, be confident, be conscious of, be conversant with, be exposed to, be friends, be informed, be inseparable, be subjected to, be told, be with one, bet on, blue book, briefing, bulletin, catch, catch on, cognize, communication, communique, comprehend, conceive, conceptualize, cotton to, data, datum, difference, differentiate, dig, digest, directory, discern, discriminate, dispatch, distinguish, doubt not, encounter, endure, enlightenment, evidence, experience, extricate, facts, factual information, familiarization, fathom, feel, feel sure, follow, fraternize with, gamble on, gen, general information, get, get hold of, get the drift, get the idea, get the picture, get wind of, go through, go without saying, grasp, guidebook, handout, hard information, have, have information about, have it taped, have knowledge of, have no doubt, have the facts, hear, hear tell of, hearsay, hit it off, hobnob with, identify, incidental information, info, information, instruction, intelligence, just know, ken, know again, know for certain, know well, knowledge, labor under, learn, light, make out, master, meet, meet up with, meet with, mention, message, nail, notice, notification, overhear, pass through, pay, peg, perceive, place, possess, prehend, presentation, promotional material, proof, publication, publicity, read, realize, recall, recall knowledge of, recognize, recollect, reidentify, release, remember, report, rest assured, run up against, savor, savvy, see, see through, seize, seize the meaning, sense, separate, sever, severalize, sidelight, spend, spot, stand under, statement, suffer, sustain, take, take in, taste, tell, the dope, the goods, the know, the scoop, transmission, undergo, understand, white book, white paper, word, wot, wot of

look up a word or phrase