n. 1 a (usu. foll. by of) awareness or familiarity gained by experience (of a person, fact, or thing) (have no knowledge of that). b a person's range of information (is not within his knowledge). 2 a (usu. foll. by of) a theoretical or practical understanding of a subject, language, etc. (has a good knowledge of Greek). b the sum of what is known (every branch of knowledge). 3 Philos. true, justified belief; certain understanding, as opp. to opinion. 4 = carnal knowledge. come to one's knowledge become known to one. to my knowledge 1 so far as I know. 2 as I know for certain.
[ ME knaulege, with earlier knawlechen (v.) formed as KNOW + OE -lcan f. lac as in WEDLOCK ]