Know (nō), v. t. [imp. Knew (nū); p. p. Known (nōn); 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. γιγηώσκειν, 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”.
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O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come! Shak.
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There is a certainty in the proposition, and we know it. Dryden.
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Know how sublime a thing it is
To suffer and be strong. Longfellow.
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2. To be convinced of the truth of; to be fully assured of; as, “to know things from information”.
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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.”
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He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. 2 Cor. v. 21.
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Not to know me argues yourselves unknown. Milton.
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4. To recognize; to distinguish; to discern the character of; as, “to know a person's face or figure”.
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Ye shall know them by their fruits. Matt. vil. 16.
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And their eyes were opened, and they knew him. Luke xxiv. 31.
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To know
Faithful friend from flattering foe. Shak.
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At nearer view he thought he knew the dead. Flatman.
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5. To have sexual intercourse with.
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And Adam knew Eve his wife. Gen. iv. 1.
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☞ Know is often followed by an objective and an infinitive (with or without to) or a participle, a dependent sentence, etc.
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And I knew that thou hearest me always. John xi. 42.
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The monk he instantly knew to be the prior. Sir W. Scott.
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In other hands I have known money do good. Dickens.
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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.
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