knowledge
see also: Knowledge
Etymology

From Middle English knowleche, knaweleche, cnawlece, from knowen + -leche.

Pronunciation
    • (RP) IPA: /ˈnɒlɪd͡ʒ/
    • (America) IPA: /ˈnɑlɪd͡ʒ/
  • (obsolete) enPR: nōl′ij, IPA: /ˈnoʊlɪd͡ʒ/
Noun

knowledge (uncountable)

  1. The fact of knowing about something; general understanding or familiarity with a subject, place, situation etc. [from 14th c.]
    His knowledge of Iceland was limited to what he'd seen on the Travel Channel.
  2. Awareness of a particular fact or situation; a state of having been informed or made aware of something. [from 14th c.]
    • 1813 January 26, [Jane Austen], Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC ↗:
      He had always intended to visit him, though to the last always assuring his wife that he should not go; and till the evening after the visit was paid she had no knowledge of it.
  3. Intellectual understanding; the state of appreciating truth or information. [from 14th c.]
    Knowledge consists in recognizing the difference between good and bad decisions.
    • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC ↗; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene vii ↗:
      Our ſoules, whoſe faculties can comprehend
      The wondrous Architecture of the world:
      And meaſure euery wandring planets courſe,
      Still climing after knowledge infinite, […]
  4. Familiarity or understanding of a particular skill, branch of learning etc. [from 14th c.]
    Does your friend have any knowledge of hieroglyphs, perchance?
    A secretary should have a good knowledge of shorthand.
  5. (philosophical) Justified true belief
  6. (archaic or legal) Sexual intimacy or intercourse (now usually in phrase carnal knowledge). [from 15th c.]
  7. (obsolete) Information or intelligence about something; notice. [15th]
  8. The total of what is known; all information and products of learning. [from 16th c.]
    His library contained the accumulated knowledge of the Greeks and Romans.
  9. (countable) Something that can be known; a branch of learning; a piece of information; a science. [from 16th c.]
    • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC ↗:
      he weakened his braines much, as all men doe, who over nicely and greedily will search out those knowledges [translating cognoissances], which hang not for their mowing, nor pertaine unto them.
    • 1605, Francis Bacon, “(please specify |book=1 or 2)”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC ↗:
      There is a great difference in the delivery of the mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges.
  10. (obsolete) Acknowledgement. [14th]
  11. (obsolete) Notice, awareness. [17th c.]
    • 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC ↗, :[10]:
      Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?
  12. (UK, informal) The deep familiarity with certain routes and places of interest required by taxicab drivers working in London, England.
Synonyms Antonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Verb

knowledge (knowledges, present participle knowledging; simple past and past participle knowledged)

  1. (obsolete) To confess as true; to acknowledge. [13th]
    • 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC ↗, Matthew iij:
      Then went oute to hym Jerusalem, and all Jury, and all the region rounde aboute Jordan, and were baptised of hym in Jordan, knoledging their synnes.

Knowledge
Proper noun
  1. A course of study which must be completed by prospective London taxi drivers; consists of 320 routes through central London and many significant places.
    • 2004, Robert S. Wayne, Royal London in Context: The Independent Traveler's Guide to Royal London, page 177:
      The drivers of the officially licensed "black cabs" are famous for their mastery of "The Knowledge" of London streets.



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