know
UK: nəʊ | US: noʊ
v. to have knowledge or understanding of something
v. to be familiar or acquainted with a person, place, or thing
v. to recognize or distinguish something
know = kn<perceive> + ow<verb-forming suffix>
- kn<perceive>: From Old English cnāwan, meaning "to perceive, recognize." Related to Proto-Germanic knēaną (to know).
- ow<verb-forming suffix>: A remnant of Old English verb conjugation, no longer productive in Modern English.
Etymology Origin:
The word "know" traces back to Old English cnāwan, which itself derives from Proto-Germanic knēaną. The initial "kn-" cluster (now silent in Modern English) originally conveyed the sense of perception or recognition. Over time, the spelling simplified, but the core meaning of understanding or familiarity persisted. The word’s evolution reflects the shift from physical perception (kn- as in "knee," once associated with bending or acknowledging) to abstract knowledge.
She knows the answer to the question.
Do you know how to swim?
I’ve known him since childhood.
They know the city very well.
He didn’t know the difference between the two brands.