Legal Dictionary
Main Entry:
know·ledgeFunction:
noun 1 a : awareness or understanding esp. of an act, a fact, or the truth
: ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE 1 in this entry
b : awareness that a fact or circumstance probably exists;
broadly : CONSTRUCTIVE KNOWLEDGE in this entry —see also
SCIENTER,
WILLFUL BLINDNESS NOTE: Knowledge fundamentally differs from intent in being grounded in awareness rather than purpose.
ac·tu·al knowledge 1 : direct and clear awareness (as of a fact or condition)
actual knowledge that the name and account number referred to different persons>
2 : awareness of such information as would cause a reasonable person to inquire further; specifically : such awareness considered as a timely and sufficient substitute for actual notice (as of a work-related injury or of a bankruptcy proceeding) actual knowledge within 90 days>
con·struc·tive knowledge
: knowledge (as of a condition or fact) that one using ordinary care or diligence would possess constructive knowledge of the presence of narcotics on his property>
per·son·al knowledge
: direct knowledge of a matter or of the truth or falsity of an allegation personal knowledge of the matter —Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 602>
su·pe·ri·or knowledge
: knowledge greater than that possessed by another; especially : awareness of a condition or fact that affects another who was not aware of it superior knowledge of the hazard> <superior knowledge of a factor in the performance of a contract>
2 : the range of one's information, understanding, or expertise knowledge>
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