† Knowledge v.

Obs. Forms: 3 cnaw-, cnou-, (5 cnow-), 3–5 (6) knou-, (4 kneu-, 5 knew(e-), 3–7 know-, (4–5 (6) knowe-, 5–6 kno-); north. 5–7 knaw-, (5 kna-); 3– -lechi(en, 3–5 -leche(n, (4–5 -lech, -lich(e, -lych(e, -lach(e), 5–6 -lege, (5 -legh, 6 -lage), 6–7 -ledge, (6 -ledg). [Early ME. cnawlechien, in 14th c. knowleche(n, prob. f. cnaw, KNOW sb.¹, and ultimately from cnáw-an, know-en, to KNOW, with a second element of obscure origin: see note to prec. A single example of i-cnoulechien in same sense, from ʓecnáw-, i-know-, is known in the 13th c. Northern instances of the vb. are unknown before the 15th c., and are rare at all times. The unstressed ending -leche, became by 1400 -lege, whence the later -ledge. (Cf. Grinnidge = Greenwich, Swanage from Swanewíc, Swanwich.) See also the sb.]

  1.  trans. To own the knowledge of; to confess; to recognize or admit as true: = ACKNOWLEDGE v. 1.

c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 9. Ȝif ha … cnawlecheð soð; Ich habbe ham to witnesse ha lickeð huni of þornes.

a. 1240.  Lofsong, in Cott. Hom., 205. Al þis ich i-cnoulechie þe.

a. 1380.  St. Ambrose, 672, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 18. Þus þis gode mon … Knouleched þat al þat was his Was pore mennes at heore nede.

1428.  Surtees Misc. (1888), 5. He knawleged and graunted his trespas.

1438.  Waterf. Arch., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 330. John Franches … didd knolech hym to ow to William Lyncoll … x. li. of money currant.

1439.  Sc. Acts Jas. II., c. 3 (1814), 54 (Jam.). The said princess … knawlegis that quhat thing the said personis did,… thai dide it of gude zele and motife.

c. 1440.  Partonope, 3522. I knowlech a traytoure am I.

a. 1450.  Knt. de la Tour (1868), 37. Thanne she knowleged her misdede.

1483.  Cath. Angl., 205/1. To knawlege, fateri, confiteri [etc.].

1537.  Act 28 Hen. VIII., in Bolton, Stat. Irel. (1621), 129. Them that … doe professe and knowledge Christs religion.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utop., Transl. Ep. (1895), 18. Knowing, and knowledging the barbarous rudenes of my translation.

1582.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 48. My flight from prison I knowledge.

[1660.  Stillingfl., Iren., II. viii. § 2. The Cleregie … did knowledge and confesse according to the truth, that the Convocations of the same Cleregie hath ben and ought to be assembled by the Kings writt.]

  b.  absol. or intr. To make confession or acknowledgement; to confess. Const. to (a fault, etc.).

1382.  Wyclif, John i. 20. And he knowelechide, and denyede not, and he knowlechide, For I am not Crist.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. VIII. 148. For dedes þat we han don ille, dampned sholde we be neuere Yff we knewelechid and cryde crist þer of mercy.

a. 1450.  Myrc, 916. When thow herest what thow hast do, Knowlache wel a-non ther to.

1526.  Tindale, Rom. x. 10. To knowledge with the mougth maketh a man safe.

  † c.  intr. with to (in biblical versions): To give thanks to, to praise. Obs.

  A literal rendering of L. confitērī of Vulg., repr. Heb. yōdãh, Gr. ἐξομολογεῖσθαι.

1382.  Wyclif, Gen. xxix. 35. She conseuyde, and bare a sone, and seith, Now I shal knowlech [Cov. geue thankes] to the Lord. Ibid., Ps. xli[i]. 12. Hope I in god, for ȝit shal knoulechen to hym. Ibid., Matt. xi. 25. I knowleche to thee, fadir … for thou hast hid these thingis fro wijse [men] and ware and hast shewid hem to litil men.

1535.  Coverdale, Rom. xiv. 11. All tunges shal knowlege vnto God [Wyclif Ech tunge schal knowleche to God].

  2.  trans. To recognize or confess (a person or thing to be something); a. with complement. b. simply: To recognize (one) to be what he claims; to own the claims or authority of: = ACKNOWLEDGE 2.

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 1352. Her we cnawlecheð him soð godd, and godes sune.

a. 1300.  Body & Soul, in Map’s Poems (Camden), 335. That thouȝ woldest God knouleche.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 193. He … knewleched hym gulty.

1382.  Wyclif, Luke xii. 8. Ech man which euer schal knowleche me byfore men,… mannis sone schal knowleche him bifore þe aungelis of God.

c. 1450.  Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.), 138. Knowlyche thiself ffor a cockewold.

1535.  Goodly Primer (1834), 82. They knowledge thee to be the Father of an infinite majesty.

1582.  Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 89. A Greeke my self I doe knowledge.

1631.  Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., 113. Knowledging, and affirming … the same Bishop to be supreme.

1643.  Prynne, Sov. Power Parl., App. 28. Charles dying, his sonne Charles the eight, was … reputed and knowledged King.

  3.  To own as genuine, or of legal force or validity; to own, avow, or assent in legal form to (an act, document, etc.), so as to give it validity: = ACKNOWLEDGE v. 3.

1531–2.  Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 6 § 1. The cognisor ne the cognisee, that did knowledge and take the same reconisances.

1581.  Lambarde, Eiren., II. iii. (1588), 136. Assaults … do draw after them the forfaiture of a Recognusance, knowledged for the keeping of the Peace.

1594.  West, 2nd Pt. Symbol. The said L. M. his heires and assignes shall … do, make, knowledge, and suffer, or cause to be made, knowledged and suffered al and everie act and acts [etc.].

1797.  Burn’s Eccl. Law (ed. 6), III. 204. If any ecclesiastical person knowledge a statute merchant or statute staple, or a recognizance in the nature of a statute staple.

  4.  refl. To make oneself known to, or bring oneself into acquaintance with a person. b. intr. To have carnal knowledge with.

c. 1375.  Cursor M., 11056 (Fairf.). The tone was yong maidyn þan The tothir had knowlechid with man [Trin. had knowleche wiþ mon]. Ibid. (a. 1425), 3838 (Trin.). Iacob … knowleched him [Cott. kythed him, Gött. kneu him] þere wiþ rachel.

  5.  trans. To recognize; in Med. to recognize and identify (a disease), to diagnose.

1541.  R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 C iij. It is leful y^e moste often to knowlege the dysease at the begynnynge, and it is necessary that the indication be taken of the sayd dysease.

a. 1618.  Sylvester, Mayden’s Blush, 442. Vouchsafe mee,… As in a glasse to see and knowledge Him.

  6.  To take legal cognizance of (a cause, etc.).

1609.  Skene, Reg. Maj., 105 (Form Baron Courts c. 15). Gif it [the judgement] be againe said in the Schiref Court, it sould be knawledged in the justice Court.

  Hence † Knowledged ppl. a., known, acknowledged.

c. 1450.  Bp. Grossetest’s Househ. Stat., in Babees Bk., 330. That they admitte youre knowlechyd men, familiers frendys, and strangers.