2. To acknowledge; to confess. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

To be acknown (often with of or on), to acknowledge; to confess. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We say of a stubborn body that standeth still in the denying of his fault, This man will not acknowledge his fault, or, He will not be acknown of his fault. Sir T. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

I acknowledge my transgressions. Ps. li. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

For ends generally acknowledged to be good. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To own or recognize in a particular character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to. [ 1913 Webster ]

In all thy ways acknowledge Him. Prov. iii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor, the receipt of a letter. [ 1913 Webster ]

They his gifts acknowledged none. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To own as genuine; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To avow; proclaim; recognize; own; admit; allow; concede; confess. -- Acknowledge, Recognize. Acknowledge is opposed to keep back, or conceal, and supposes that something had been previously known to us (though perhaps not to others) which we now feel bound to lay open or make public. Thus, a man acknowledges a secret marriage; one who has done wrong acknowledges his fault; and author acknowledges his obligation to those who have aided him; we acknowledge our ignorance. Recognize supposes that we have either forgotten or not had the evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but that now we know it (as it were) anew, or receive and admit in on the ground of the evidence it brings. Thus, we recognize a friend after a long absence. We recognize facts, principles, truths, etc., when their evidence is brought up fresh to the mind; as, bad men usually recognize the providence of God in seasons of danger. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any kind, is recognized on the ground of his producing satisfactory credentials. See also Confess. [ 1913 Webster ]

To be aknow, to acknowledge; to confess. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Who would the miseries of man foreknow? Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

He who . . . foreknowingly loses his life. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

If I foreknew,
Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Is. i. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The peasant folklore of Europe still knows of willows that bleed and weep and speak when hewn. Tylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be assured; to feel confident. [ 1913 Webster ]

To know of, to ask, to inquire. [ Obs. ] “ Know of your youth, examine well your blood.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is a certainty in the proposition, and we know it. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Know how sublime a thing it is
To suffer and be strong. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be convinced of the truth of; to be fully assured of; as, to know things from information. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2 Cor. v. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

Not to know me argues yourselves unknown. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To recognize; to distinguish; to discern the character of; as, to know a person's face or figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matt. vil. 16. [ 1913 Webster ]

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him. Luke xxiv. 31. [ 1913 Webster ]

To know
Faithful friend from flattering foe. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

At nearer view he thought he knew the dead. Flatman. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To have sexual intercourse with. [ 1913 Webster ]

And Adam knew Eve his wife. Gen. iv. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Know is often followed by an objective and an infinitive (with or without to) or a participle, a dependent sentence, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

And I knew that thou hearest me always. John xi. 42. [ 1913 Webster ]

The monk he instantly knew to be the prior. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

In other hands I have known money do good. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus mind and matter, as known or knowable, are only two different series of phenomena or qualities. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The knowing and intelligent part of the world. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Artful; cunning; as, a knowing rascal. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

This sore night
Hath trifled former knowings. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. By experience. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

We consider and knowleche that we have offended. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Knowledge, which is the highest degree of the speculative faculties, consists in the perception of the truth of affirmative or negative propositions. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; -- chiefly used in the plural. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is a great difference in the delivery of the mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Knowledges is a term in frequent use by Bacon, and, though now obsolete, should be revived, as without it we are compelled to borrow “cognitions” to express its import. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

To use a word of Bacon's, now unfortunately obsolete, we must determine the relative value of knowledges. H. Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Cor. viii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ignorance is the curse of God;
Knowledge, the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea. 1 Kings ix. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Scope of information; cognizance; notice; as, it has not come to my knowledge. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me? Ruth ii. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Sexual intercourse; -- usually preceded by carnal; same as carnal knowledge.

Syn. -- See Wisdom. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. fully informed. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. highly educated; having information or understanding.
Syn. -- enlightened, learned, lettered, literate, well-educated, well-read. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

-- knowledgeability, n. -- knowledgeably, adv. -- knowledgeableness, n. [ PJC ]

☞ The party originated in 1853, and existed for about three years. The members of it were called Know-nothings, because they replied “I don't know, ” to any questions asked them in reference to the party. [ 1913 Webster ]