unknown
UK: ʌnˈnəʊn | US: ʌnˈnoʊn
adj. not known or familiar; not identified or understood
n. a person or thing that is not known or recognized
The word "unknown" combines the Old English prefix "un-" (meaning "not") with the past participle "known" (from Old English "cnāwan," meaning "to perceive or recognize"). The prefix "un-" is a prolific negator in English, while "known" traces back to Proto-Germanic "*knewan," related to perception and awareness. Together, they form a straightforward negation of familiarity or recognition, a concept preserved since Old English.
The artist remained unknown until her work went viral.
The cause of the malfunction is still unknown.
He ventured into unknown territory without a map.
The book explores the unknown depths of the ocean.
Fear of the unknown often holds people back.