■ verb ( past knew ; past participle ~n )
1》 be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information.
↘have ~ledge or information concerning.
↘be absolutely sure of something.
2》 be familiar or friendly with.
↘have a good command of (a subject or language).
↘have personal experience of.
↘(usu. be ~n as ) regard as having a specified characteristic or title.
3》 archaic have sex with.
Phrases
be in the ~ informal be aware of something ~n only to a few people.
God (or goodness or heaven ) ~s I have no idea.
I ~ ( what ) I have a new idea or suggestion.
~ something backwards see backwards .
~ better than be wise enough to avoid doing something.
~ someone by sight recognize someone without ~ing their name or being well acquainted with them.
~ no bounds have no limits.
~ one's own mind be decisive and certain.
~ the ropes have experience of the appropriate procedures.
~ what's what informal be experienced and competent in a particular area.
not want to ~ informal refuse to react or take notice.
what do you ~ ( about that ) ? N. Amer. informal used as an expression of surprise.
you ~ informal implying something generally ~n or ~n by the listener.
↘used as a gap-filler in conversation.
Derivatives
~able adjective
~er noun
Origin
OE cnāwan (earlier gecnāwan ) 'recognize, identify', of Gmc origin; related to can 1 and ken .