know (nəʊ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) |
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| —vb , knows, knowing, knew, known |
| 1. | (also intr; may take a clause as object) to be or feel certain of the truth or accuracy of (a fact, etc) |
| 2. | to be acquainted or familiar with: she's known him five years |
| 3. | to have a familiarity or grasp of, as through study or experience: he knows French |
| 4. | (also intr; may take a clause as object) to understand, be aware of, or perceive (facts, etc): he knows the answer now |
| 5. | (foll by how) to be sure or aware of (how to be or do something) |
| 6. | to experience, esp deeply: to know poverty |
| 7. | to be intelligent, informed, or sensible enough (to do something): she knew not to go home yet |
| 8. | (may take a clause as object) to be able to distinguish or discriminate |
| 9. | archaic to have sexual intercourse with |
| 10. | I know what I have an idea |
| 11. | know what's what to know how one thing or things in general work |
| 12. | informal you know a parenthetical filler phrase used to make a pause in speaking or add slight emphasis to a statement |
| 13. | you never know things are uncertain |
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| —n |
| 14. | informal in the know aware or informed |
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| [Old English gecnāwan; related to Old Norse knā I can, Latin noscere to come to know] |
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| 'knowable |
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| —adj |
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| 'knower |
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| —n |