knew
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knew
(no͞o, nyo͞o)v.
Past tense of know.
knew
(njuː)vb
the past tense of know
know
(noʊ)v. knew, known, know•ing,
n. v.t.
1. to perceive or understand as fact or truth; apprehend clearly and with certainty.
2. to have fixed in the mind or memory: to know a poem by heart.
3. to be cognizant of: I know it.
4. to be acquainted or familiar with (a thing, place, person, etc.): I know the mayor well.
5. to understand from experience or practice: to know how to make gingerbread.
6. to be able to distinguish, as one from another: to know right from wrong.
7. to recognize: I'd know her if I saw her again.
8. Archaic. to have sexual intercourse with.
v.i. 9. to have knowledge or clear and certain perception, as of fact or truth.
10. to be cognizant or aware, as of some circumstance or occurrence; have information.
n. 11. the fact or state of knowing; knowledge.
Idioms: in the know, privy to information.
[before 900; Middle English knowen, knawen, Old English gecnāwan; c. Old High German -cnāhan, Old Norse knā to know how, be able to; akin to Latin(g)nōscere, Greek gignṓskein. See gnostic, can1]
know′a•ble, adj.
know′er, n.
Translations
know
(nəu) – past tense knew (njuː) : past participle known – verb1. to be aware of or to have been informed about. He knows everything; I know he is at home because his car is in the drive; He knows all about it; I know of no reason why you cannot go.
2. to have learned and to remember. He knows a lot of poetry.
3. to be aware of the identity of; to be friendly with. I know Mrs Smith – she lives near me.
4. to (be able to) recognize or identify. You would hardly know her now – she has become very thin; He knows a good car when he sees one.
ˈknowing adjective showing secret understanding. She gave him a knowing look.
ˈknowingly adverb1. in a knowing manner. She smiled knowingly.
2. deliberately or on purpose. He would not knowingly insult her.
ˈknow-all noun an unkind name for a person who thinks he knows everything.
ˈknow-how noun the practical knowledge and skill to deal with something. She has acquired a lot of know-how about cars.
in the know having information possessed only by a small group of people. People in the know tell me that she is the most likely person to get the job.
know backwards to know extremely well or perfectly. He knows his history backwards.
know better to be too wise or well-taught (to do something). She should know better at her age!; He should have known better than to trust them.
know how to to have learned the way to. She already knew how to read when she went to school.
know the ropes to understand the detail and procedure of a job etc.