knowledge

Where does the word "knowledge" come from? It comes from Old English cnāwan, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).

Knowledge’s story begins in Old English: cnāwan meant “to know.” To know, cognate with Latin 'gnōscere' and Greek 'gignōskein'. By 1100s-1400s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as knowleche. Formed around 1200 with an obscure ending, perhaps the '-lock' of 'wedlock'. It reached English by 1500s as knowledge. London taxi drivers must pass 'the Knowledge', a test of the city's streets, begun in 1865. Today, knowledge means facts, information and skills acquired through experience.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · 700s-1000s cnāwan "to know", to know, cognate with Latin 'gnōscere' and Greek 'gignōskein'.
2. Stage 2 · Middle English · 1100s-1400s knowleche "acknowledgement, knowing", formed around 1200 with an obscure ending, perhaps the '-lock' of 'wedlock'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s knowledge "what is known", London taxi drivers must pass 'the Knowledge', a test of the city's streets, begun in 1865.