† beknowv.
Obsolete.
transitive.
1. To become acquainted with, to recognize.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > know, be aware of [verb (transitive)]
witc888
underyetec893
knowOE
acknowOE
understanda1000
seeOE
awitc1200
wota1300
beknowc1300
kena1400
cognizance1642
suppose1843
c1300 Relig. Songs i. 31 Mon, hwi nultu the bi-cnowe?
1314 Guy Warw. (Abbotsf.) 106 The Soudan him biknewe anon.
1393 J. Gower III. 357 So fit it wel, that thou beknowe Thy feble estate.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 64 In no wyse I wold not ben beknowen.
1560 T. Phaer tr. Virgil Æneid Cc ij b The lords beknew that god. [See beknown adj.]
2. To admit one's knowledge of; to acknowledge, confess.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > acknowledgement, avowal, or confession > acknowledge, avow, or confess [verb (transitive)]
kenc975
kithec1000
acknowOE
anyetec1175
knowledgec1225
beknowc1325
avow1330
granta1400
acknowledge1481
recognize1509
confess1526
profess1526
testify1526
reacknowledge1550
avouch1606
to take with ——a1653
upgivea1776
c1325 Coer de L. 1700 That he thynkes he wyl beknawe.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 69 [Hi] hare folyes ne beknaweþ.
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋96 To destroye him that wolde not by~knowe his synnes.
c1440 Morte Arth. (Roxb.) 31 She moste there by know the dede.
1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Confesser, to confesse, to beknowe.
3. To acknowledge or recognize (a person) in some capacity or relation; e.g. to confess Christ.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [verb (transitive)] > acknowledge as due or valid
beknowc1315
recognize1537
recognoscea1550
own1553
acknowledge1611
recognizance1657
c1315 Shoreham 15 To biknowe Cristes name.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii. 24 Þat cryst be nouȝt biknowe here for consummatus deus.
4. to be beknown: to be aware or conscious of anything; hence, to avow, confess. Used like acknow v. 3, 4, but rarer.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > acknowledgement, avowal, or confession > acknowledge, avow, or confess [verb (intransitive)]
to be beknowna1300
acknowc1300
knowledgec1384
knowa1400
confess1587
subscribea1616
own1772
testify1785
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1905 Þan was noe wel be-knauin Þat þe flode it was wit-drauin.
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iii. x. 90 I am byknowen and confesse..þat god is ryȝt worþi abouen alle þinges.
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle i. xv. 11 I am byknowe that I haue done amys.
a1500 Lancelot of Laik (1870) 1627 Qwho that is of an of thir byknow.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Chron. (1812) I. 694 If they aske the any thyng of me, be not be knowen that I am in the toune.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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