v. t. [ imp. Knew p. p. Known p. pr. & vb. n. Knowing. ] [ OE. knowen, knawen, AS. cnäwan; akin to OHG. chnäan (in comp.), Icel. knä to be able, Russ. znate to know, L. gnoscere, noscere, Gr. gighw`skein, Skr. jnā; fr. the root of E. can, v. i., ken. √45. 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. [ 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 ]

n. Knee. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To have knowledge; to have a clear and certain perception; to possess wisdom, instruction, or information; -- often with of. [ 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 ]

a. That may be known; capable of being discovered, understood, or ascertained. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

n. The state or quality of being knowable. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who knows everything; hence, one who makes pretension to great knowledge; a wiseacre; a know-it-all; -- usually ironical. [ Colloq. or R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who knows. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. the knowledge and skill required to do something; practical knowledge for a specific task.
Syn. -- knowhow. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. 1. Skilful; well informed; intelligent; as, a knowing man; a knowing dog. [ 1913 Webster ]

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

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

n. Knowledge; hence, experience. “ In my knowing.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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