Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Know?

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