know
(nō)
[Middle English knouen, from Old English cnāwan.]
verb: knew (nōō, nyōō), known (nōn), know·ing, knows.
transitive verb
- To perceive directly; grasp in the mind with clarity or certainty.
- To regard as true beyond doubt: I know she won't fail.
- To have a practical understanding of, as through experience; be skilled in: knows how to cook.
- To have fixed in the mind: knows her Latin verbs.
- To have experience of: “a black stubble that had known no razor” (William Faulkner)
- To perceive as familiar; recognize: I know that face.
- To be acquainted with: He doesn't know his neighbors.
- To be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct: knows right from wrong.
- To discern the character or nature of: knew him for a liar.
- Archaic To have sexual intercourse with.
intransitive verb
- To possess knowledge, understanding, or information.
- To be cognizant or aware.
idioms
- in the know
- Possessing special or secret information.
- you know
- Used parenthetically in conversation, as to fill pauses or educe the listener's agreement or sympathy: Please try to be, you know, a little quieter. How were we supposed to make camp in a storm like that, you know?
derivatives
- knoẃa·ble
- adjective
- knoẃer
- noun
