Know v. t. [imp. Knew p. p. Known p. pr. & vb. n. Knowing.]
1. To perceive or apprehend clearly and certainly; to understand; to have full information of; as, to know one's duty.
O, that a man might know
The end of this day's business ere it come! --Shak.
There is a certainty in the proposition, and we know it. --Dryden.
Know how sublime a thing it is
To suffer and be strong. --Longfellow.
2. To be convinced of the truth of; to be fully assured of; as, to know things from information.
3. To be acquainted with; to be no stranger to; to be more or less familiar with the person, character, etc., of; to possess experience of; as, to know an author; to know the rules of an organization.
He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin. --2 Cor. v. 21.
Not to know me argues yourselves unknown. --Milton.
4. To recognize; to distinguish; to discern the character of; as, to know a person's face or figure.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. --Matt. vil. 16.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him. --Luke xxiv. 31.
To know
Faithful friend from flattering foe. --Shak.
At nearer view he thought he knew the dead. --Flatman.
5. To have sexual intercourse with.
And Adam knew Eve his wife. --Gen. iv. 1.
Note: ☞ Know is often followed by an objective and an infinitive (with or without to) or a participle, a dependent sentence, etc.
And I knew that thou hearest me always. --John xi. 42.
The monk he instantly knew to be the prior. --Sir W. Scott.
In other hands I have known money do good. --Dickens.
To know how, to understand the manner, way, or means; to have requisite information, intelligence, or sagacity. How is sometimes omitted. “ If we fear to die, or know not to be patient.”