[f. KNOW v. A new formation.] The fact of knowing; knowledge. Now chiefly in colloq. phr. in the know, in possession of information that is not generally known.
1592. Wyrley, Armorie, 119. What booteth it of Gentries brag to boast,… When we ourselues no warlike practise trow, But rest ourselues with this old idle know?
1602. Shaks., Ham., V. ii. 44. That on the view and know of these Contents … He should the bearers put to sodaine death.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, s.v., ‘Poor fellow! he has but little know.’
1827. Sporting Mag., XXI. 42. The mare … was jockied by a raw young lad … who had not that kind of know about him to enable her to win.
1883. H. Guedalla, in Daily News, 21 Sept., 2/2. People in the ‘know’ are playing with loaded dice.
1885. Times, 19 March, 3/6. To those in the know the spectacle was painful in the extreme.
Know, var. KNOWE, knoll; obs. f. KNEE.
