beknow

beknow

English

Etymology

From Middle English beknowen, biknowen, from Old English becnāwan (“to know, know about”), equivalent to be- +‎ know. Cognate with Old High German bichnāan (“to recognise, see”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -əʊ

Verb

beknow (third-person singular simple present beknows, present participle beknowing, simple past beknew, past participle beknown)

1. (transitive) To know about; have knowledge of; recognise; understand; be aware (of); be knowledgeable about.
   • 1856, Homer, Francis William Newman, The Illiad of Homer:

     At length Alkimedon, his friend and comrade, right beknew it; [...]

   • 1859, United States Congress, Congressional edition - Page 354:

     Do not think my reverend father that I am beknowing to all the affairs of the savages, there is a great deal wanting: they come to us about the affairs of their conscience, but as to the rest they consult us but little.

   • 1888, The Argosy: Volume 46:

     [...] when I went bolt into his dressing-room, not beknowing he was in it — why it is not likely, sir, that he comes again.

   • 1922, Walter De la Mare, Down-adown-derry: a book of fairy poems:

     Know I as soon as dark's dreams begin Snared is my heart in a nightmare's gin; Never from terror I out may win; So dawn and dusk I pine, peak, thin, Scarcely beknowing t'other from which—My great grandam—She was a Witch.

2. (transitive) To acknowledge; own; confess.
   • 1831, Sir Thomas Wyatt, Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas, The poetical works of Sir Thomas Wyatt:

     For unto Thee no number can be laid For to prescribe remissions of offence In hearts returned, as thou thyself hast said; And I beknow my fault, my negligence: [...]

Derived terms

• beknowing
• beknown