kenn.¹

Brit.

/kɛn/, U.S.

/kɛn/

Forms: Also 1500s–1600s kenn(e.

Etymology: < ken v.¹

†1. = kenning n.² 4b. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > distance that bounds the range of vision

kenning1478

ken1545

1545 in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 815 The place, wher we be at this present, ys thwartt of Shorham, too kennys allmoste frome the shore.

1574 W. Bourne Regim. for Sea (1577) xviii. 48 b Neyther is it possible to see any lande further..where~fore 6. leagues or 9. leagues is called a ken.

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 14 Let this suffice, that they are safely come within a kenne of Douer.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. vi. 6 Milford, When from the Mountaine top, Pisanio shew'd thee, Thou was't within a kenne .

1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated ii. vii. 121 The Fisherman iudging by sight, could not see aboue a kenne at sea.

a. Range of sight or vision; in phrases in or within ken, beyond, out of, or past ken. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [noun] > range or field of

eyeOE

sightc1175

eyesightc1225

kenning1530

reach1579

kena1592

sight-shot1663

command1697

field1721

eye scope1853

a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. Aiv^v The bordring Ilands seated here in ken.

1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. N4 Out of ken we were ere the Countesse came from the feast.

1624 P. Massinger Bond-man iv. i. sig. G4 The conquering Army Is within ken.

1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 3 Beyond all Ken by the best Telescopes.

1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey II. v. 456 Scarce in ken appears that distant Isle.

1882 F. W. H. Myers Renewal of Youth 77 Thro' space, if space it be, past count or ken.

b. With possessive or equivalent.

ΚΠ

1630 M. Drayton Noahs Floud in Muses Elizium 115 On which they might discerne within their ken, The carkasses of Birds, of Beasts, and men.

a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iv. viii. 365 The Intellect..taketh a flight out of the ken or reach of Sense.

1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. iii. 15 The eye Is bounded in its ken to a stone's cast.

1864 W. H. Ainsworth John Law III. v. x. 29 Many..remarkable personages came under Evelyn's ken.

†3. Sight or view of a thing, place, etc.; possibility or capacity of seeing; chiefly in phrases in, within, out of ken of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [noun]

looka1200

sight?c1225

visc1340

visea1450

respection?a1475

viewa1500

prospection?1530

kenningc1540

conspect1548

ken1594

spectacle1625

styme1776

perception1817

1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. H3^v Tis double death to drowne in ken of shore.

a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman v. v. 26 in P. Massinger 3 New Playes (1655) Hardly We had lost the ken of Sicily, but we were Becalm'd.

1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 70 Scarce daring to venture out of the Ken of Land.

1738 Defoe's Compl. Eng. Tradesman (ed. 4) I. viii. 84 I sent out my servant to watch..these..strollers, and keep..within ken of them.

a. Power or exercise of vision; look, gaze.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > [noun]

eyesenea1225

lookinga1225

sight1297

eyesight?c1335

seeing1372

view?c1475

vision1493

speculation1509

discernment1614

ken1667

outsight1681

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > a look or glance > [noun]

eie wurpc950

laitc1175

looka1200

lecha1250

sightc1275

insighta1375

blushc1390

castc1400

glentc1400

blenkc1440

regardc1450

ray1531

beam of sight1579

eye-beam1583

eyewink1591

blink1594

aspecta1616

benda1616

eyeshot1615

eye-casta1669

twire1676

ken1736

Magdalene-look1752

glimmering1759

deek1833

wink1847

deck1853

vision1855

pipe1865

skeg1876

dekko1894

screw1904

slant1911

gander1914

squiz1916

butcher's hook1934

butcher's1936

gawk1940

bo-peep1941

nose1976

1667 J. Dryden Annus Mirabilis 1666 cxi. 29 Each ambitiously would claim the Ken That with first eyes did distant safety meet.

1736 W. Thompson Nativity xi Faith led the van,..Steady her ken, and gaining on the skies.

1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision I. iv. 14 I..search'd With fixed ken to know what place it was, Wherein I stood.

b. Mental perception or recognition.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > [noun]

anyitOE

eyesightc1175

sightc1175

sentimentc1374

mindc1384

intentc1386

fantasyc1400

savoura1425

spiritsc1450

perceiverancea1500

perceiverationa1500

senses1528

perceivance1534

sense1553

kenc1560

mind-sight1587

knowledge1590

fancy1593

animadversion1596

cognition1651

awaring1674

perception1678

scan1838

apperception1848

perceivedness1871

c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xxxv. 28 Every gait off wicket stait Sall perreiss owt of ken.

1701 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother iii. iii. 1340 Whose Orb, with streaming Glories fraught, Dazles the Ken of human thought.

a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1859) I. xviii. 361 Acts of mind so rapid and minute as to elude the ken of consciousness.

1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlii. 293 My vera Memorandum Book blottit oot' o' ken.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

kenn.²

Brit.

/kɛn/, U.S.

/kɛn/

Forms: Also 1500s kene.

Etymology: Vagabonds' slang.

A house; esp. a house where thieves, beggars, or disreputable characters meet or lodge. Frequently with qualifying words, as bousing-ken, dancing-ken, smuggling-ken, stalling-ken, touting-ken. to burn the ken (see quot. 1725).

ΘΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > a dwelling > other types of dwelling > [noun] > dwelling of specific types of people > of thieves or criminals

denc1275

case?1536

ken1567

nest1617

lumber1753

1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) Peddelars Frenche sig. Gii^v A ken, a house.

1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) Peddelars Frenche sig. Giiii Tower ye [= look you] yander is the kene.

a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Beggers Bush v. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Mm3/1 Surprising a Boores ken, for granting cheates.

1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. F3 Bowse a health to the Gentry Cofe of the Ken.

1725 New Canting Dict. Burnt the Ken, when Strollers leave the Ale~house, without paying their Quarters.

1800 Sporting Mag. 16 26 Called at a ken in the way home.

1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 351/2 Up she goes to any likely ken,..and commences begging.

1860 W. H. Dixon Personal Hist. Ld. Bacon v. §15 These..skulk about the kens of Newgate Street.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

kenn.³

Brit.

/kɛn/, U.S.

/kɛn/

Forms: Also 1700s–1800s kin. Plural unchanged, occasionally kens.

Etymology: Japanese.

A Japanese unit of length equal to six shaku; equivalent to approximately 71·5 inches (1·82 metres).

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > Japanese units

ken1727

shaku1727

sun1727

ri1817

1727 J. G. Scheuchzer tr. E. Kæmpfer Hist. Japan II. 405 The Tsjo contains sixty Kin, or Mats, according to their way of measuring, or about as many European fathoms.

1727 J. G. Scheuchzer tr. E. Kæmpfer Hist. Japan II. 407 This bridge is supported, in the middle, by a small island, and consequently consists of two parts, the first whereof hath 36 kins, or fathoms, in length, and the second 96.

a1832 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) XX. 486/2 1 kin = 1 fathom.

1884 E. M. Satow & A. G. S. Hawes Handbk. Travellers Central & Northern Japan (ed. 2) 17 The chō is further subdivided into 60 ken and the ken again into 6 shaku, the shaku being about 11·9 English inches.

1956 K. Tomiki Judo i. 22 The floor space for a contest shall be 5 ken (30 feet) square of 50 tatami.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

kenn.⁴

Brit.

/kɛn/, U.S.

/kɛn/

Etymology: Japanese.

A prefecture; one of the territorial divisions of Japan.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > rule or government > territorial jurisdiction or areas subject to > an administrative division of territory > [noun] > in Japan

ken1882

1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 490/2 His [sc. Sho-tai's] territory was declared first a han or feudal dependency and afterwards a ken or province of the Japanese monarchy.

1890 B. H. Chamberlain Things Japanese 134 There are two current divisions of the soil of the Empire—an older and more popular one into provinces (kuni)..and a recent, purely administrative one into prefectures (ken) of which at the present moment..there are forty-three.

1899 R. Kipling From Sea to Sea I. xviii. 378 Away in the western kens—districts, as you call them.

1947 E. O. Reischauer Japan Past & Present ix. 119 Two years later, in 1871, the fiefs were entirely abolished, and the land was divided into a number of new political divisions called ken or ‘prefectures’.

1965 J. W. Hall et al. Twelve Doors to Japan i. 16 Today..they [sc. the kuni] have been merged into the larger prefectures (to, dō, fu, and ken, of which there are forty-six) and have lost much of their contemporary meaning.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

kenn.⁵

Brit.

/kɛn/, U.S.

/kɛn/

Etymology: Japanese.

A Japanese game of forfeits played with the hands and with gestures.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > parlour and party games > [noun] > forfeit games

follow the (also my) leader1776

Jack's alive1822

turn-trencher1838

snapping tongs1844

family coach1851

ken1890

1890 B. H. Chamberlain Things Japanese 125 The Japanese play various games of forfeits, which they call Ken, sitting in a little circle and flinging out their fingers, after the manner of the Italian mora.

1898 A. Diósy New Far East v. 236 Dignified and sedate as if ken, and other rollicking games of forfeits, were frivolities far beneath her notice.

1958 Japan (Jap. Nat. Commission for Unesco) xxix. 1030 Ken is a game introduced from ancient China with many variations... The game was held at banquets and feasts in the Edo Period when ken meets were also held.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

kenv.¹

Brit.

/kɛn/, U.S.

/kɛn/

Forms: Old English cennan, ( cænnan), Middle English kennen, (Middle English kennyn), (Middle English kene, Middle English cene, Middle English keen), Middle English–1600s kenne, Middle English– ken, (Middle English, 1700s kenn, Middle English kyn). past tense Middle English kende, Middle English– kenned(e, kenn'd, kend; 1800s Scottish kent.

Origin: A word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English cęnnan (cęnde , cęnned ) = Frisian kanna , kenna , Old Saxon (ant)kennian (Middle Dutch and Dutch kennen ), Old High German (ir- , in- , pi- ) chennan (Middle High German and German kennen ), Old Norse kenna (Swedish känna , Danish kjende , kende ), Gothic kannjan , factitive of the preterite-present *kann- , I know: see can v.¹The form is properly causative ‘to cause to know’, ‘to make known’, and was restricted to this use in Gothic and Old English At an early period, however, in all the Germanic tongues, the verb also acquired the sense ‘to know’. In English this may have been taken from Norse, in which both senses were in early use. In modern English ken is only archaic (in sense 6) and has its past tense and past participle kenned (compare pen, penned); in Scots (where it has entirely displaced knaw ‘to know’) the past tense and participle are now kent; south Scots kend.

I. In causative senses. (All Obsolete.)

†1. transitive. To make known, declare, confess, acknowledge. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > acknowledgement, avowal, or confession > acknowledge, avow, or confess [verb (transitive)]

kenc975

kithec1000

acknowOE

anyetec1175

knowledgec1225

beknowc1325

avow1330

granta1400

acknowledge1481

recognize1509

confess1526

profess1526

testify1526

reacknowledge1550

avouch1606

to take with ——a1653

upgivea1776

c975 Laws K. Edgar iv. §10 Gif he þonne cenð [§11 cænne] þæt he hit mid gewitnysse bohte.

OE Beowulf 1219 Cen þec mid cræfte, ond þyssum cnyhtum wes lara liðe.

c1000 Ags. Ps. cvii[i]. 8 Ic me to cyninge cenne Iudas..ic Idumea ealle cenne.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3310 Ne der ich noht kennen [c1300 Otho kenne]..þat ich her king weore.

†2.

a. To make known, to impart the knowledge of (a thing). Usually with dative of person (or to): To make a thing known to one; to teach one something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach (a thing)

to teach a thing971

learnc1175

kena1225

informa1393

showa1400

informc1400

precept?a1475

instruct?1520

to take forth1530

to take out1586

grind1815

a1225 Leg. Kath. 1347 & tat we kennið þe wel..þat we leaueð þi lahe.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 216 A fruit ðe kenned wel and wo.

a1352 L. Minot Poems vii. 34 Calais men, now may ze care..Sir Edward shall ken zow zowre crede.

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 90 Clerkes þat knowen hit scholde techen [v.r. kenne] hit aboute.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3644 I sal þe ken ful gode a gin.

c1425 Wyntoun Cron. vi. ii. 114 Thir Papys war gud haly men, And oysyd the trowth to folk to ken.

c1430 Christ's Compl. 508 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 199 Y loued not hem þat me good kende.

†b. With clause expressing what is made known or taught, the dative of the person being later taken as direct object, and so as subject of passive. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1225 St. Marher. 16 Cuð me ant ken me hwi þe worldes weldent wunieð in þe.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. i. 136 Ȝet mote ye kenne me better, By what craft in my corps it comseth.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 156 Clerkis kenne me þat cryst is in alle places.

?a1500 Chester Pl. vii. 356 Why..the ayre is so cleare, now shall we be kent.

†c. to ken thank: to make known or express thanks: = can v.¹ Phrases 1, con v.¹ 1. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > gratitude > give thanks [verb]

to can thanks (also thank)OE

to con thanks (also thank)?c1335

to ken thankc1440

to come (a person) thanks1828

c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) iii. viii Sothly he wyll kenne the more thanke for thy meke wesshynge of his fete.

1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Mm.i Leaste..he ken them the lesse thanke for doinge all thinges contrarily.

a1566 R. Edwards Damon & Pithias (1571) sig. Eiij All right courtiers will kenne me thank.

†3.

a. To direct, teach, or instruct (a person). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)]

i-taechec888

lerec900

iwisseOE

to teach a personc1000

wisc1000

ylereOE

avayc1315

readc1330

learna1382

informc1384

beteacha1400

form1399

kena1400

redec1400

indoctrinea1450

instructc1449

ensign1474

doctrine1475

introduct1481

lettera1500

endoctrinec1500

to have (a person) in schooling?1553

lesson1555

tutor1592

orthographize1596

pupil1599

con1612

indoctrinate1621

art1628

doctrinate1631

document1648

verse1672

documentizea1734

form1770

intuit1776

skill1809

indoctrinize1861

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 2694 Abram..did als drightin can him ken [Trin. Cambr. as god him hadde tauȝt].

c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) i. lxxii I am enformed & kenned in all thynges.

c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 482 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 318 Al þat ware honeste men ȝarnit he suld þare barnis ken.

1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 824 Arrectyng my prayer to Mynerve..me to inform and ken.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 5663 Þen folowet all the flete..Euyn kepyn hor course, as þai kend were.

†b. with infinitive complement: To teach one, show one how to do something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach how

ken1362

learna1400

instruct1477

show1519

school1577

to show someone (also put someone up to) the ropes1802

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 4 Kenne me bi somme crafte to knowe þe fals.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7363 I sal þe ken To knau him a-mang oþer men.

1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 544 I vndirtak..For to ken ȝow to clym the wall.

a1529 J. Skelton Phyllyp Sparowe (?1545) sig. C.vii Now Phebus me ken To sharpe my pen.

†c. absol. To give instruction or directions.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > command > command or bidding > command or give orders [verb (intransitive)] > enjoin or instruct

kenc1330

remit1544

directa1639

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 663 Parys dide as Venus kende.

1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. v. 40 Thanne reson rod forth..And dude as conscience kenned.

†4.

a. To direct, guide, show the way to (unto, till) a place or person. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > guide

wieldeOE

steera1000

wisc1000

wiseOE

turnc1175

kenc1200

conduec1330

dressc1330

govern1340

addressc1350

guidea1400

conducec1475

conduct1481

rectifya1500

besteer1603

helm1607

engineer1831

beacon1835

society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > guide, lead, or show the way [verb (intransitive)]

kenc1200

lead1509

to lead the waya1593

usher1612

society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > lead back

teachc893

forleadOE

to lead the wayc1175

kenc1200

dressc1330

lerec1330

guy1362

guidec1374

reduce?a1425

tell1485

way lead1485

arrect1530

reconduct1566

reduct1580

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 45 He is cleped king, for þat he kenneð eure to rihte.

c1325 Metr. Hom. 50 I openly Ken you till him of quaim I spek.

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. xi. 104 I schal kenne þe to my Cosyn þat Clergye is I-hoten.

c1440 York Myst. xxxiv. 350 If anye aske aftir vs Kenne thame to Caluarie.

1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 414 A trew Scot..kend thaim to that place.

c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xxxvi. 55 I sall thame ken to consolatioun.

†b. intransitive and reflexive. To direct one's course, betake oneself, proceed, go. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > [verb (intransitive)]

nimeOE

becomec885

teec888

goeOE

i-goc900

lithec900

wendeOE

i-farec950

yongc950

to wend one's streetOE

fare971

i-wende971

shakeOE

winda1000

meteOE

wendOE

strikec1175

seekc1200

wevec1200

drawa1225

stira1225

glidea1275

kenc1275

movec1275

teemc1275

tightc1275

till1297

chevec1300

strake13..

travelc1300

choosec1320

to choose one's gatea1325

journeyc1330

reachc1330

repairc1330

wisec1330

cairc1340

covera1375

dressa1375

passa1375

tenda1375

puta1382

proceedc1392

doa1400

fanda1400

haunta1400

snya1400

take?a1400

thrilla1400

trace?a1400

trinea1400

fangc1400

to make (also have) resortc1425

to make one's repair (to)c1425

resort1429

ayrec1440

havea1450

speer?c1450

rokec1475

wina1500

hent1508

persevere?1521

pursuec1540

rechec1540

yede1563

bing1567

march1568

to go one's ways1581

groyl1582

yode1587

sally1590

track1590

way1596

frame1609

trickle1629

recur1654

wag1684

fadge1694

haul1802

hike1809

to get around1849

riddle1856

bat1867

biff1923

truck1925

society > travel > [verb (reflexive)]

wendeOE

meteOE

drawc1175

flitc1175

do?c1225

kenc1275

teemc1275

movec1300

graitha1325

dightc1330

redec1330

windc1330

yieldc1330

dressa1375

raikc1400

winc1400

pass?a1425

get1492

tirec1540

flitch?1567

frame1576

betake1639

rely1641

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)]

wadeOE

agoOE

forthganga1000

forthgoOE

syeOE

kenc1275

to-stepc1275

vaunce1303

forthnima1325

passc1330

throc1330

forthpass1382

to pass forthc1384

to carry forthc1390

proceedc1392

to go alongc1400

to be forthwardc1430

get) groundc1436

to set onc1450

avauntc1460

pretend1481

to make way1490

advance?1507

to get forward1523

promove1570

to rid ground (also space)1572

to rid (the) way1581

progressa1586

to gather grounda1593

to make forth1594

to make on1597

to work up1603

perge1607

to work one's (also its) way1609

to pass on1611

to gain ground1625

to make its way1645

vadea1660

propagate1700

to gain one's way1777

further1789

to pull up1829

on1840

to make (up) ground1921

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13210 Ȝif æuer-aie is swa kene.. þat us after kenne ich hine wulle aquelle.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) App. xx. 482 Þe kyng to yrlonde wende In þe monþe of octobre, and seþþe in may hom kende.

c1305 St. Christopher 212 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 65 Ouer Cristofre an arewe heng: þat toward þe king kende.

c1320 Sir Beues 334 (MS. A.) Toward his court he him kende [v.r. went anoon].

†5. transitive. To consign, commend, deliver, bestow. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another > hand over a person

kena1400

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 1584 Al mankind forsoth he [sc. þe fend] wend, To his will all suld be kend.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 8840 Ne ware þai neuer þeiþen dispende til þai ware til Iudas kende.

a1400–50 Alexander 5383 With þat scho kende him a croun clustrid with gemmes.

c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2067 Þis kastel to Kryst I kenne, He gef hit ay god chaunce!

c1440 Bone Flor. 1566 To Florence they can hur kenne, To lerne hur to behave hur among men.

II. In non-causative senses.

a. To descry, see; to catch sight of, discover by sight; to look at, scan. Now only archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > succeed in seeing or catch sight of

underyetec1000

aspya1250

kenc1275

ofyetec1275

choosea1300

akenc1300

descrivec1300

ofkenc1300

readc1300

espyc1320

descryc1330

spyc1380

discernc1405

discover1553

scan1558

scry1558

decern1559

describe1574

to make out1575

escry1581

interview1587

display1590

to set sight of (in)c1595

sight1602

discreevec1650

glance1656

to catch a glimpse of1679

steal1731

oversee1735

glimpse1779

twig1796

to clap eyes on1838

spot1848

sky1900

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 831 Þa Goffar þe king þene castel kennede [c1300 Otho of-kende]..swiðe wa him was.

a1300 Body & Soul 109 Thine eiȝene are blinde and connen nouȝt kenne.

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4703 Takens sal be in þe son and in þe mone, And in þe sternes þat in heven men may ken.

a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 587 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 113 In a feld of siluer..Of a kynde colour thre coddis I kend.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 101 As farre as I could ken thy Chalky Cliffes..I stood vpon the Hatches in the storme.

1621 P. Heylyn Microcosmus 3 So great a space, of the earth as a quick sight can kenn in an open feild.

1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 286 To ken the prospect round, If Cottage were in view.

1771 J. Beattie Minstrel: Bk. 1st xxii. 12 And now he faintly kens the bounding fawn, And villager abroad at early toil.

1805 W. Wordsworth Waggoner iii. 67 Indistinctly may be kenned The vanguard, following close behind.

1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth x, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 273 Unable to ken the course of the bird of Jove.

1880 W. Watson Prince's Quest 75 And far below him..a city exceeding fair to ken.

b. absol. To see, look. Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)]

seeOE

yseeOE

ken1577

discover1588

1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. viii. xxvii. 167 Some watched diligently, kenning from towres, casements, and high places.

1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales iii. i. 63 Places, from whence a man might farthest kenne.

1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 374 Spaces distant from them as far as a man may ken.

1755 E. Young Centaur iii. 173 Not the papal Infallibility can ken thro' the second of a minute.

a. To recognize (at sight, or by some marks or tokens); to identify. Now northern or Scottish.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > recognition > recognize, acknowledge [verb (transitive)]

acknowOE

anyeteOE

i-kenc1000

yknowOE

knowOE

seeOE

kenc1275

knowledgec1330

to take knowledge ofa1400

perceive1549

agnize1568

reknowledge1611

recognize1725

reconnoitre1729

identify1746

recognizate1799

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10700 Nu þu scalt to hælle. þer þu miht kenne muche of þine cunne.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 1152 Bituix quat lede sum þat þou lend, Euer sal þou and þine bi kend.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iii. 45 ‘Sirs’, seide the kynge, ‘yef ye myght se Merlin, cowde ye hym knowen?’ ‘Sire’, seide thei, ‘it myght not be but that we sholde hym kenne wele, yef we myght him se’.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. x. sig. I8 Me when as he had priuily espide, Bearing the shield..He kend it streight.

1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 63 To ken the lione be his taes.

1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vi. 15 Tis he, I ken the manner of his gate, He rises on the too.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Northampt. 284 King James, who did ken a man of merrit, as well as any Prince in Christendome.

1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. ii. iii. 193 He kenned me in a twinkling, though I had changed my dress.

1816 S. T. Coleridge Christabel ii. 34 He kenn'd In the beautiful lady the child of his friend!

1901 N.E.D. at Ken Mod. Sc. Ye're grown that big, I hardly kent ye.

b. To (be able to) distinguish (one person or thing from another). Now Scottish.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > discern [verb (transitive)] > recognize as different

sundereOE

distinct1303

knowc1330

distinguea1340

kena1400

tella1425

discern1484

distinguish1561

smell1582

discriminate1637

undifference1654

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 23116 Fro comynynge of cristen men Þo careful shul be eþ to ken.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3911 The ton fro þe tother was tore for to ken In sight at þat sodan.

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Sept. 42 The shepheards swayne you cannot wel ken, But it be by his pryde, from other men.

1901 N.E.D. at Ken Mod. Sc. They're that like, I never ken the tane frae the tither.

†8.

a. To recognize, acknowledge, admit to be (genuine, valid, or what is claimed). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > acknowledgement or recognition > acknowledge or recognize [verb (transitive)]

yknowOE

knowc1175

yatec1175

knowledgec1225

vow1338

granta1387

kenc1400

admit1415

reknowledgec1450

acknowledge?1526

agnize1535

recognize1537

recognoscea1550

justify1600

granta1620

to take with ——a1653

recognizance1657

agnite1694

recognizate1799

c1400 in Neilson Trial by Combat (1890) 229 Schir, kenys thow this is thi sele and thine appele?

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5196 His mysse þat he moght ken.

c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 77 Now new lawis kennyn prescripcoun, þat if ani be in posessioun of oþer mennis þingis by a cercle of ȝeris, he schal ioi it as his oune.

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 750 And yai as lord suld him ken.

b. Scots Law. To recognize (a person) as legal heir or successor to an estate; usually, to serve a widow to a life-rent of the third part of her deceased husband's lands.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > succession > cause to descend by succession [verb (transitive)] > succeed to > recognize as legal successor

ken1468

serve1494

society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > succession > cause to descend by succession [verb (transitive)] > cause to descend by inheritance > cause to inherit > serve widow to legal inheritance

ken1468

widowa1616

1468 Burgh Rec. Aberdeen 20 Mar. (Spalding Club) I. 28 Askande him to be kende to the saide lande as air til his fadir.

c1575 Balfour's Practicks (1754) 106 Ane lady havand the tierce of ony landis..the schiref of the schire sould ken hir to hir thrid part thairof.

1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. ii. Tit. ix. §29 She..cannot remove tenants, till the Sheriff kens her to her terce.

1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. To ken a widow to her terce,..a phrase still used in our courts of law.

†9. To get to know, ascertain, find out. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)]

seeOE

fanda1000

finda1200

kenc1330

lenda1350

agropea1393

contrive1393

to find outc1405

outsearch?a1439

ripec1440

inventc1475

disclose?a1500

fish1531

agnize?1570

discover1585

to grope out1590

out-find1590

expiscate1598

vent1611

to learn out1629

to get to know1643

develop1653

ascertain1794

stag1796

root1866

to get a line on1903

establish1919

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 270 Clerkis and lewed men suld..trie þe soth and ken, in whom þe wrong lay.

1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. diiii Sa y^t the cause may be kend and knawin throw skill.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1452 What myschefe befell, þere no cause was to ken but vnkynd wordes.

1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. i. vi. 20 Calde..To Ken of whence and where they would.

10. To know (a person); to have acquaintance with; to be acquainted with. Now Scottish.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > make friends with [verb (transitive)] > make acquaintance > know or be acquainted with

canOE

knowOE

kenc1420

c1420 Sir Amadace ii Sithun duelle here, quere I was borne..And I am so wele kennit.

1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 327 Yat he wald trawaile our ye se..And dre myscheiff quhar nane hym kend.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iv. 72 He mette with a man that he nothinge kenned.

a1586 Peblis to Play in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. 176 That spak hir fallowis þat hir kend be still my Ioy and greit nocht.

1597 A. Montgomerie Sonn. xxvi In Cupids court ȝe knau I haif bene kend.

1606 P. Holland in tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars Annot. 14 Al while that I you kenned not, I cald you L[ord] & King.

1820 W. Scott Monastery II. i. 11 I have kenn'd every wench in the Halidome of St. Mary's.

1901 N.E.D. at Ken Mod. Sc. ‘Everybodie kens Watty the Post.’ Is there oniebodie ye ken here?

11.

a. To know (a thing); to have knowledge of or about (a thing, place, person, etc.), to be acquainted with; †to understand. Now chiefly Scottish.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)]

yknoweOE

acknowOE

anyeteOE

latchc1000

undernimc1000

understandc1000

underyetec1000

afindOE

knowOE

seeOE

onfangc1175

takec1175

underfindc1200

underfonga1300

undertakea1300

kenc1330

gripea1340

comprehend1340

comprendc1374

espyc1374

perceivea1387

to take for ——?1387

catcha1398

conceivea1398

intenda1400

overtakea1400

tenda1400

havec1405

henta1450

comprise1477

skilla1500

brook1548

apprend1567

compass1576

perstanda1577

endue1590

sound1592

engrasp1593

in1603

fathom1611

resent1614

receivea1616

to take up1617

apprehend1631

to take in1646

grasp1680

understumblec1681

forstand1682

savvy1686

overstand1699

uptake1726

nouse1779

twig1815

undercumstand1824

absorb1840

sense1844

undercumstumble1854

seize1855

intelligize1865

dig1935

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > know, be conversant with [verb (transitive)]

witc888

yknoweOE

witOE

canOE

knowOE

kenc1330

acquainta1393

quaint1509

understand1541

to summer and winter1602

possess1607

c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 78 Symple men Þat strange Inglis can not ken.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 12148 I kene wele þat ilk siquar Quen þat ȝu ȝur moderis bare.

c1418 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 243 I have wel lever No more kyn than my a, b, c.

c1430 Christ's Compl. 489 in Pol., Rel., & L. Poems 198 Þouȝ y cowþe al kunnynge ken.

1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Feb. 85 I wote thou kenst little good, So vainely t'aduaunce thy headlesse hood.

1584 G. Peele Araygnem. Paris i. iv. sig. B That kens the paynted pathes of pleasunt Ida.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Warw. 124 He did ken the Embassador-Craft, as well as any in his age.

1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi ii. App. 67/1 Any Governour that Kens Hobbianism.

1828 S. T. Coleridge Work without Hope in Bijou 28 Yet well I ken the banks where Amaranths blow.

1879 J. Armstrong Kielder Hunt in Northumbld. Gloss. He kens the hauds on Tosson hills, he kens the holes at Rae.

b. To know, understand, or perceive (a fact, etc.); to be aware of, to be aware that (what, etc.). Now chiefly Scottish.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > perceive [verb (transitive)]

acknowOE

keepc1000

feelOE

findOE

seeOE

yknowc1275

apperceivec1300

descrivec1300

knowc1300

perceivec1330

taste1340

tellc1390

catcha1398

scenta1398

devisea1400

kena1400

concernc1425

descrya1450

henta1450

apprehend1577

scerne1590

to take in1637

discreevec1650

recognize1795

absorb1840

embrace1852

cognizea1856

cognosce1874

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > know, be aware of [verb (transitive)]

witc888

underyetec893

knowOE

acknowOE

understanda1000

seeOE

awitc1200

wota1300

beknowc1300

kena1400

cognizance1642

suppose1843

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6418 Quils moyses heild vp his hend It was wel in þat bateil kend.

c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 799 Litill kennyth he what I may doo.

c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 375 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 39 Ȝe suld wele ken, þat here slane has bene mony men.

1567 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. 35 I ken rycht weill ȝe knaw ȝour dewtie.

a1635 T. Randolph Poems (1638) 115 Dost thou ken, Collen, what the cause might be Of such a dull and generall Lethargie?

1714 J. Gay Shepherd's Week iii. 89 Now plain I ken whence Love his Rise begun.

1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol iii. 101 Little kenned the lamp-lighter that he had any company but Christmas!

1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes I. xii. 90 I dinna ken what ye mean, Alec.

c. With compl. (Chiefly in passive.) Now Scottish.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6715 If his lauerd kenne him kene of horn.

c1400 Melayne 1437 Ȝitt are we ten thowsande here..Þat wele for kene are kende.

a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l 25151 For goddes sun may he noght be kend.

1721 A. Ramsay Addr. to Town Council iii To you, ne'er kend to guide ill..My case I plainly tell.

1829 J. Hogg Shepherd's Cal. I. 232 Ye're kenn'd for an auld-farrant man.

1869 C. Gibbon Robin Gray iii Ivan Carrack was ay kenned to be ready tae flee in the face o' Providence.

12.

a. intransitive or absol. To have knowledge (of or about something). †Also with infinitive: To know how to, to be able to (obsolete).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)]

canOE

to know of ——c1350

savoura1382

understanda1400

kenc1400

weeta1547

to keep up to1712

to know about ——1761

to be (or get) wise to1896

to wise up1905

to have heard of1907

to be (or get) jerry (on, on to, to)1908

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > be or become conversant [verb (intransitive)] > know how to

understanda1300

wit1340

to know of ——c1350

kenc1400

skilla1586

c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 357 Þenne he cryed so cler, þat kenne myȝt alle.

?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 53 No creatur kenis of our doingis.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1583 Of all þe craftes to ken as þere course askit.

1659 T. Pecke Parnassi Puerperium 3 If he be happy that can Causes scan, You ken to plead our Causes.

1721 A. Ramsay Prospect of Plenty i A lairdship wide, That yields mair plenty than he kens to guide.

1816 W. Scott Old Mortality x, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 236 It was his father then ye kent o'.

†b. reflexive. To have skill; to be accomplished in. (= French se connaître en.) Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > be skilled in [verb (reflexive)]

ken1362

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 202 He kennede him in heore craft and kneuȝ mony gummes.

a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 703 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 117 The boytour callit was cuke yat him weile kend In craftis of ye ketchyne.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

† kenv.²

Forms: Old English cennan, Middle English kennen. past tense Old English cende, kende, Middle English kennede, Middle English kynned. past participle Old English ( ge)cenned, Middle English kenned, Middle English ( y)kennyd, ( y)kend, kynned, Middle English kynde.

Etymology: Old English cęnnan = Old Saxon kennian (past participle kennit ), Old High German (ki)chęnnan < Old Germanic *kannjan , < *kan- , second ablaut grade of the series kin- , kan- , kun- (see kin n.¹). See also kene v.

Obsolete.

a. transitive. To generate, engender, beget; to conceive; to give birth to.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > multiply or reproduce [verb (transitive)]

kenc825

begeteOE

strenec893

raisec1175

breeda1250

kenec1275

felefolda1300

engendera1325

tiddera1325

multiplyc1350

genderc1384

producea1513

procreatea1525

propagate1535

generate1552

product1577

kind1596

traduce1599

pullulate1602

traduct1604

progenerate1611

store1611

spawna1616

spawna1617

reproduce1650

propage1695

to make a baby1911

a900 Leiden Riddle 2 Mec se ueta uong..ob his innaðae aerest caendae [Exeter Bk. cende].

c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) i. 25 Heo cende hyre frum-cennedan sunu.

c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 31 Ure lafdi seinte marie kennede of holie lichame ure louerd ihesu crist.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 12 Þe zone..wes y-kend of þe holi gost.

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 192 He shal be so kynde That a madyn, sothely, Which neuer synde, Shall hym bere.

figurative.c825 Vesp. Psalter vii. 15 Sehðe cenneð unrehtwisnisse.c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 915 Hov schulde I huyde me fro hem þat hatz his hate kynned.

b. absol. To conceive or bear a child.

ΘΚΠ

the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > be confined [verb (intransitive)] > give birth

kenc1000

childc1175

beara1382

labour1454

to cry out1623

parturiate1649

pup1708

to fall in two1788

accouche1819

to have one's bed1848

pip1973

to put to bed1973

c1000 Ælfric Genesis xviii. 13 Sceal ic nu eald wif cennan?

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7879 Wimmon þurh heore cræfte kenneð anan.

2. intransitive. To be conceived or born. Of eggs: To hatch out.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (intransitive)] > hatch out

ken1399

bradden1653

breed1661

the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > conception > conceive [verb (intransitive)] > be conceived

ken1399

1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 51 [She] houeth the eyren..And with hir corps keuereth hem till þat þey kenne.

a1400 St. Erkenwolde 209 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 271 Before þat kynned ȝour Criste by cristene acounte A þousande ȝere.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1072 Bot much clener watz hir corse, God kynned þerinne.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

n.¹1545

n.²1567

n.³1727

n.⁴1882

n.⁵1890

v.¹c975

v.²c825

单词	ken
释义	kenn.¹ Brit. /kɛn/, U.S. /kɛn/ Forms: Also 1500s–1600s kenn(e. Etymology: < ken v.¹ †1. = kenning n.² 4b. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > distance that bounds the range of vision kenning1478 ken1545 1545 in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 815 The place, wher we be at this present, ys thwartt of Shorham, too kennys allmoste frome the shore. 1574 W. Bourne Regim. for Sea (1577) xviii. 48 b Neyther is it possible to see any lande further..where~fore 6. leagues or 9. leagues is called a ken. 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 14 Let this suffice, that they are safely come within a kenne of Douer. a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) iii. vi. 6 Milford, When from the Mountaine top, Pisanio shew'd thee, Thou was't within a kenne . View more context for this quotation 1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated ii. vii. 121 The Fisherman iudging by sight, could not see aboue a kenne at sea. 2. a. Range of sight or vision; in phrases in or within ken, beyond, out of, or past ken. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [noun] > range or field of eyeOE sightc1175 eyesightc1225 kenning1530 view1553 reach1579 kena1592 sight-shot1663 command1697 field1721 eye scope1853 a1592 R. Greene Hist. Orlando Furioso (1594) sig. Aiv^v The bordring Ilands seated here in ken. 1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. N4 Out of ken we were ere the Countesse came from the feast. 1624 P. Massinger Bond-man iv. i. sig. G4 The conquering Army Is within ken. 1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 3 Beyond all Ken by the best Telescopes. 1725 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey II. v. 456 Scarce in ken appears that distant Isle. 1882 F. W. H. Myers Renewal of Youth 77 Thro' space, if space it be, past count or ken. b. With possessive or equivalent. ΚΠ 1630 M. Drayton Noahs Floud in Muses Elizium 115 On which they might discerne within their ken, The carkasses of Birds, of Beasts, and men. a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) iv. viii. 365 The Intellect..taketh a flight out of the ken or reach of Sense. 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in Iliad & Odyssey I. iii. 15 The eye Is bounded in its ken to a stone's cast. 1864 W. H. Ainsworth John Law III. v. x. 29 Many..remarkable personages came under Evelyn's ken. †3. Sight or view of a thing, place, etc.; possibility or capacity of seeing; chiefly in phrases in, within, out of ken of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [noun] looka1200 sight?c1225 visc1340 visea1450 respection?a1475 viewa1500 prospection?1530 kenningc1540 conspect1548 ken1594 spectacle1625 styme1776 perception1817 1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. H3^v Tis double death to drowne in ken of shore. View more context for this quotation a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman v. v. 26 in P. Massinger 3 New Playes (1655) Hardly We had lost the ken of Sicily, but we were Becalm'd. 1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God 70 Scarce daring to venture out of the Ken of Land. 1738 Defoe's Compl. Eng. Tradesman (ed. 4) I. viii. 84 I sent out my servant to watch..these..strollers, and keep..within ken of them. 4. a. Power or exercise of vision; look, gaze. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > [noun] eyesenea1225 lookinga1225 sight1297 eyesight?c1335 seeing1372 view?c1475 vision1493 speculation1509 discernment1614 ken1667 outsight1681 the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > a look or glance > [noun] eie wurpc950 laitc1175 looka1200 lecha1250 sightc1275 insighta1375 blushc1390 castc1400 glentc1400 blenkc1440 regardc1450 ray1531 view1546 beam of sight1579 eye-beam1583 eyewink1591 blink1594 aspecta1616 benda1616 eyeshot1615 eye-casta1669 twire1676 ken1736 Magdalene-look1752 glimmering1759 deek1833 wink1847 deck1853 vision1855 pipe1865 skeg1876 dekko1894 screw1904 slant1911 gander1914 squiz1916 butcher's hook1934 butcher's1936 gawk1940 bo-peep1941 nose1976 1667 J. Dryden Annus Mirabilis 1666 cxi. 29 Each ambitiously would claim the Ken That with first eyes did distant safety meet. 1736 W. Thompson Nativity xi Faith led the van,..Steady her ken, and gaining on the skies. 1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision I. iv. 14 I..search'd With fixed ken to know what place it was, Wherein I stood. b. Mental perception or recognition. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > [noun] anyitOE eyesightc1175 sightc1175 sentimentc1374 mindc1384 intentc1386 fantasyc1400 savoura1425 spiritsc1450 perceiverancea1500 perceiverationa1500 senses1528 perceivance1534 sense1553 kenc1560 mind-sight1587 knowledge1590 fancy1593 animadversion1596 cognition1651 awaring1674 perception1678 scan1838 apperception1848 perceivedness1871 c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xxxv. 28 Every gait off wicket stait Sall perreiss owt of ken. 1701 N. Rowe Ambitious Step-mother iii. iii. 1340 Whose Orb, with streaming Glories fraught, Dazles the Ken of human thought. a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1859) I. xviii. 361 Acts of mind so rapid and minute as to elude the ken of consciousness. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlii. 293 My vera Memorandum Book blottit oot' o' ken. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022). kenn.² Brit. /kɛn/, U.S. /kɛn/ Forms: Also 1500s kene. Etymology: Vagabonds' slang. A house; esp. a house where thieves, beggars, or disreputable characters meet or lodge. Frequently with qualifying words, as bousing-ken, dancing-ken, smuggling-ken, stalling-ken, touting-ken. to burn the ken (see quot. 1725). ΘΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > a dwelling > other types of dwelling > [noun] > dwelling of specific types of people > of thieves or criminals denc1275 case?1536 ken1567 nest1617 lumber1753 1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) Peddelars Frenche sig. Gii^v A ken, a house. 1567 T. Harman Caueat for Commen Cursetors (new ed.) Peddelars Frenche sig. Giiii Tower ye [= look you] yander is the kene. a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Beggers Bush v. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Mm3/1 Surprising a Boores ken, for granting cheates. 1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. F3 Bowse a health to the Gentry Cofe of the Ken. 1725 New Canting Dict. Burnt the Ken, when Strollers leave the Ale~house, without paying their Quarters. 1800 Sporting Mag. 16 26 Called at a ken in the way home. 1851 H. Mayhew London Labour I. 351/2 Up she goes to any likely ken,..and commences begging. 1860 W. H. Dixon Personal Hist. Ld. Bacon v. §15 These..skulk about the kens of Newgate Street. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online March 2022). kenn.³ Brit. /kɛn/, U.S. /kɛn/ Forms: Also 1700s–1800s kin. Plural unchanged, occasionally kens. Etymology: Japanese. A Japanese unit of length equal to six shaku; equivalent to approximately 71·5 inches (1·82 metres). ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > measurement > measurement of length > [noun] > units of length or distance > Japanese units ken1727 shaku1727 sun1727 ri1817 1727 J. G. Scheuchzer tr. E. Kæmpfer Hist. Japan II. 405 The Tsjo contains sixty Kin, or Mats, according to their way of measuring, or about as many European fathoms. 1727 J. G. Scheuchzer tr. E. Kæmpfer Hist. Japan II. 407 This bridge is supported, in the middle, by a small island, and consequently consists of two parts, the first whereof hath 36 kins, or fathoms, in length, and the second 96. a1832 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) XX. 486/2 1 kin = 1 fathom. 1884 E. M. Satow & A. G. S. Hawes Handbk. Travellers Central & Northern Japan (ed. 2) 17 The chō is further subdivided into 60 ken and the ken again into 6 shaku, the shaku being about 11·9 English inches. 1956 K. Tomiki Judo i. 22 The floor space for a contest shall be 5 ken (30 feet) square of 50 tatami. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022). kenn.⁴ Brit. /kɛn/, U.S. /kɛn/ Etymology: Japanese. A prefecture; one of the territorial divisions of Japan. ΘΚΠ society > authority > rule or government > territorial jurisdiction or areas subject to > an administrative division of territory > [noun] > in Japan ken1882 1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 490/2 His [sc. Sho-tai's] territory was declared first a han or feudal dependency and afterwards a ken or province of the Japanese monarchy. 1890 B. H. Chamberlain Things Japanese 134 There are two current divisions of the soil of the Empire—an older and more popular one into provinces (kuni)..and a recent, purely administrative one into prefectures (ken) of which at the present moment..there are forty-three. 1899 R. Kipling From Sea to Sea I. xviii. 378 Away in the western kens—districts, as you call them. 1947 E. O. Reischauer Japan Past & Present ix. 119 Two years later, in 1871, the fiefs were entirely abolished, and the land was divided into a number of new political divisions called ken or ‘prefectures’. 1965 J. W. Hall et al. Twelve Doors to Japan i. 16 Today..they [sc. the kuni] have been merged into the larger prefectures (to, dō, fu, and ken, of which there are forty-six) and have lost much of their contemporary meaning. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022). kenn.⁵ Brit. /kɛn/, U.S. /kɛn/ Etymology: Japanese. A Japanese game of forfeits played with the hands and with gestures. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > parlour and party games > [noun] > forfeit games follow the (also my) leader1776 Jack's alive1822 turn-trencher1838 snapping tongs1844 family coach1851 ken1890 1890 B. H. Chamberlain Things Japanese 125 The Japanese play various games of forfeits, which they call Ken, sitting in a little circle and flinging out their fingers, after the manner of the Italian mora. 1898 A. Diósy New Far East v. 236 Dignified and sedate as if ken, and other rollicking games of forfeits, were frivolities far beneath her notice. 1958 Japan (Jap. Nat. Commission for Unesco) xxix. 1030 Ken is a game introduced from ancient China with many variations... The game was held at banquets and feasts in the Edo Period when ken meets were also held. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022). kenv.¹ Brit. /kɛn/, U.S. /kɛn/ Forms: Old English cennan, ( cænnan), Middle English kennen, (Middle English kennyn), (Middle English kene, Middle English cene, Middle English keen), Middle English–1600s kenne, Middle English– ken, (Middle English, 1700s kenn, Middle English kyn). past tense Middle English kende, Middle English– kenned(e, kenn'd, kend; 1800s Scottish kent. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English cęnnan (cęnde , cęnned ) = Frisian kanna , kenna , Old Saxon (ant)kennian (Middle Dutch and Dutch kennen ), Old High German (ir- , in- , pi- ) chennan (Middle High German and German kennen ), Old Norse kenna (Swedish känna , Danish kjende , kende ), Gothic kannjan , factitive of the preterite-present kann- , I know: see can v.¹The form is properly causative ‘to cause to know’, ‘to make known’, and was restricted to this use in Gothic and Old English At an early period, however, in all the Germanic tongues, the verb also acquired the sense ‘to know’. In English this may have been taken from Norse, in which both senses were in early use. In modern English ken* is only archaic (in sense 6) and has its past tense and past participle kenned (compare pen, penned); in Scots (where it has entirely displaced knaw ‘to know’) the past tense and participle are now kent; south Scots kend. I. In causative senses. (All Obsolete.) †1. transitive. To make known, declare, confess, acknowledge. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > acknowledgement, avowal, or confession > acknowledge, avow, or confess [verb (transitive)] kenc975 kithec1000 acknowOE anyetec1175 knowledgec1225 beknowc1325 avow1330 granta1400 acknowledge1481 recognize1509 confess1526 profess1526 testify1526 reacknowledge1550 avouch1606 to take with ——a1653 upgivea1776 c975 Laws K. Edgar iv. §10 Gif he þonne cenð [§11 cænne] þæt he hit mid gewitnysse bohte. OE Beowulf 1219 Cen þec mid cræfte, ond þyssum cnyhtum wes lara liðe. c1000 Ags. Ps. cvii[i]. 8 Ic me to cyninge cenne Iudas..ic Idumea ealle cenne. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3310 Ne der ich noht kennen [c1300 Otho kenne]..þat ich her king weore. †2. a. To make known, to impart the knowledge of (a thing). Usually with dative of person (or to): To make a thing known to one; to teach one something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach (a thing) to teach a thing971 learnc1175 kena1225 informa1393 showa1400 informc1400 precept?a1475 instruct?1520 to take forth1530 to take out1586 grind1815 a1225 Leg. Kath. 1347 & tat we kennið þe wel..þat we leaueð þi lahe. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 216 A fruit ðe kenned wel and wo. a1352 L. Minot Poems vii. 34 Calais men, now may ze care..Sir Edward shall ken zow zowre crede. 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 90 Clerkes þat knowen hit scholde techen [v.r. kenne] hit aboute. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3644 I sal þe ken ful gode a gin. c1425 Wyntoun Cron. vi. ii. 114 Thir Papys war gud haly men, And oysyd the trowth to folk to ken. c1430 Christ's Compl. 508 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 199 Y loued not hem þat me good kende. †b. With clause expressing what is made known or taught, the dative of the person being later taken as direct object, and so as subject of passive. Obsolete. ΚΠ a1225 St. Marher. 16 Cuð me ant ken me hwi þe worldes weldent wunieð in þe. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. i. 136 Ȝet mote ye kenne me better, By what craft in my corps it comseth. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 156 Clerkis kenne me þat cryst is in alle places. ?a1500 Chester Pl. vii. 356 Why..the ayre is so cleare, now shall we be kent. †c. to ken thank: to make known or express thanks: = can v.¹ Phrases 1, con v.¹ 1. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > gratitude > give thanks [verb] to can thanks (also thank)OE to con thanks (also thank)?c1335 to ken thankc1440 to come (a person) thanks1828 c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) iii. viii Sothly he wyll kenne the more thanke for thy meke wesshynge of his fete. 1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer iii. sig. Mm.i Leaste..he ken them the lesse thanke for doinge all thinges contrarily. a1566 R. Edwards Damon & Pithias (1571) sig. Eiij All right courtiers will kenne me thank. †3. a. To direct, teach, or instruct (a person). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] i-taechec888 lerec900 iwisseOE to teach a personc1000 wisc1000 ylereOE avayc1315 readc1330 learna1382 informc1384 beteacha1400 form1399 kena1400 redec1400 indoctrinea1450 instructc1449 ensign1474 doctrine1475 introduct1481 lettera1500 endoctrinec1500 to have (a person) in schooling?1553 lesson1555 tutor1592 orthographize1596 pupil1599 con1612 indoctrinate1621 art1628 doctrinate1631 document1648 verse1672 documentizea1734 form1770 intuit1776 skill1809 indoctrinize1861 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 2694 Abram..did als drightin can him ken [Trin. Cambr. as god him hadde tauȝt]. c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) i. lxxii I am enformed & kenned in all thynges. c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 482 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 318 Al þat ware honeste men ȝarnit he suld þare barnis ken. 1523 J. Skelton Goodly Garlande of Laurell 824 Arrectyng my prayer to Mynerve..me to inform and ken. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 5663 Þen folowet all the flete..Euyn kepyn hor course, as þai kend were. †b. with infinitive complement: To teach one, show one how to do something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach how ken1362 learna1400 instruct1477 show1519 school1577 to show someone (also put someone up to) the ropes1802 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 4 Kenne me bi somme crafte to knowe þe fals. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7363 I sal þe ken To knau him a-mang oþer men. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 544 I vndirtak..For to ken ȝow to clym the wall. a1529 J. Skelton Phyllyp Sparowe (?1545) sig. C.vii Now Phebus me ken To sharpe my pen. †c. absol. To give instruction or directions. ΘΚΠ society > authority > command > command or bidding > command or give orders [verb (intransitive)] > enjoin or instruct kenc1330 remit1544 directa1639 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 663 Parys dide as Venus kende. 1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. v. 40 Thanne reson rod forth..And dude as conscience kenned. †4. a. To direct, guide, show the way to (unto, till) a place or person. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > authority > control > [verb (transitive)] > guide wieldeOE steera1000 wisc1000 wiseOE turnc1175 kenc1200 conduec1330 dressc1330 govern1340 addressc1350 guidea1400 conducec1475 conduct1481 rectifya1500 besteer1603 helm1607 engineer1831 beacon1835 society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > guide, lead, or show the way [verb (intransitive)] kenc1200 lead1509 to lead the waya1593 usher1612 society > travel > aspects of travel > guidance in travel > show (the way) [verb (transitive)] > lead back teachc893 forleadOE to lead the wayc1175 kenc1200 dressc1330 lerec1330 guy1362 guidec1374 reduce?a1425 tell1485 way lead1485 arrect1530 reconduct1566 reduct1580 c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 45 He is cleped king, for þat he kenneð eure to rihte. c1325 Metr. Hom. 50 I openly Ken you till him of quaim I spek. 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. xi. 104 I schal kenne þe to my Cosyn þat Clergye is I-hoten. c1440 York Myst. xxxiv. 350 If anye aske aftir vs Kenne thame to Caluarie. 1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 414 A trew Scot..kend thaim to that place. c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xxxvi. 55 I sall thame ken to consolatioun. †b. intransitive and reflexive. To direct one's course, betake oneself, proceed, go. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] nimeOE becomec885 teec888 goeOE i-goc900 lithec900 wendeOE i-farec950 yongc950 to wend one's streetOE fare971 i-wende971 shakeOE winda1000 meteOE wendOE strikec1175 seekc1200 wevec1200 drawa1225 stira1225 glidea1275 kenc1275 movec1275 teemc1275 tightc1275 till1297 chevec1300 strake13.. travelc1300 choosec1320 to choose one's gatea1325 journeyc1330 reachc1330 repairc1330 wisec1330 cairc1340 covera1375 dressa1375 passa1375 tenda1375 puta1382 proceedc1392 doa1400 fanda1400 haunta1400 snya1400 take?a1400 thrilla1400 trace?a1400 trinea1400 fangc1400 to make (also have) resortc1425 to make one's repair (to)c1425 resort1429 ayrec1440 havea1450 speer?c1450 rokec1475 wina1500 hent1508 persevere?1521 pursuec1540 rechec1540 yede1563 bing1567 march1568 to go one's ways1581 groyl1582 yode1587 sally1590 track1590 way1596 frame1609 trickle1629 recur1654 wag1684 fadge1694 haul1802 hike1809 to get around1849 riddle1856 bat1867 biff1923 truck1925 society > travel > [verb (reflexive)] wendeOE meteOE drawc1175 flitc1175 do?c1225 kenc1275 teemc1275 movec1300 graitha1325 dightc1330 redec1330 windc1330 yieldc1330 dressa1375 raikc1400 winc1400 pass?a1425 get1492 tirec1540 flitch?1567 frame1576 betake1639 rely1641 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)] wadeOE agoOE forthganga1000 forthgoOE syeOE kenc1275 to-stepc1275 vaunce1303 forthnima1325 passc1330 throc1330 forthpass1382 to pass forthc1384 to carry forthc1390 proceedc1392 to go alongc1400 to be forthwardc1430 get) groundc1436 to set onc1450 avauntc1460 pretend1481 to make way1490 advance?1507 to get forward1523 promove1570 to rid ground (also space)1572 to rid (the) way1581 progressa1586 to gather grounda1593 to make forth1594 to make on1597 to work up1603 perge1607 to work one's (also its) way1609 to pass on1611 to gain ground1625 to make its way1645 vadea1660 propagate1700 to gain one's way1777 further1789 to pull up1829 on1840 to make (up) ground1921 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13210 Ȝif æuer-aie is swa kene.. þat us after kenne ich hine wulle aquelle. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) App. xx. 482 Þe kyng to yrlonde wende In þe monþe of octobre, and seþþe in may hom kende. c1305 St. Christopher 212 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 65 Ouer Cristofre an arewe heng: þat toward þe king kende. c1320 Sir Beues 334 (MS. A.) Toward his court he him kende [v.r. went anoon]. †5. transitive. To consign, commend, deliver, bestow. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another > hand over a person kena1400 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 1584 Al mankind forsoth he [sc. þe fend] wend, To his will all suld be kend. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 8840 Ne ware þai neuer þeiþen dispende til þai ware til Iudas kende. a1400–50 Alexander 5383 With þat scho kende him a croun clustrid with gemmes. c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 2067 Þis kastel to Kryst I kenne, He gef hit ay god chaunce! c1440 Bone Flor. 1566 To Florence they can hur kenne, To lerne hur to behave hur among men. II. In non-causative senses. 6. a. To descry, see; to catch sight of, discover by sight; to look at, scan. Now only archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > succeed in seeing or catch sight of underyetec1000 aspya1250 kenc1275 ofyetec1275 choosea1300 akenc1300 descrivec1300 ofkenc1300 readc1300 espyc1320 descryc1330 spyc1380 discernc1405 discover1553 scan1558 scry1558 decern1559 describe1574 to make out1575 escry1581 interview1587 display1590 to set sight of (in)c1595 sight1602 discreevec1650 glance1656 to catch a glimpse of1679 steal1731 oversee1735 glimpse1779 twig1796 to clap eyes on1838 spot1848 sky1900 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 831 Þa Goffar þe king þene castel kennede [c1300 Otho of-kende]..swiðe wa him was. a1300 Body & Soul 109 Thine eiȝene are blinde and connen nouȝt kenne. 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4703 Takens sal be in þe son and in þe mone, And in þe sternes þat in heven men may ken. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 587 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 113 In a feld of siluer..Of a kynde colour thre coddis I kend. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 101 As farre as I could ken thy Chalky Cliffes..I stood vpon the Hatches in the storme. View more context for this quotation 1621 P. Heylyn Microcosmus 3 So great a space, of the earth as a quick sight can kenn in an open feild. 1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd ii. 286 To ken the prospect round, If Cottage were in view. View more context for this quotation 1771 J. Beattie Minstrel: Bk. 1st xxii. 12 And now he faintly kens the bounding fawn, And villager abroad at early toil. 1805 W. Wordsworth Waggoner iii. 67 Indistinctly may be kenned The vanguard, following close behind. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth x, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 273 Unable to ken the course of the bird of Jove. 1880 W. Watson Prince's Quest 75 And far below him..a city exceeding fair to ken. b. absol. To see, look. Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] seeOE yseeOE ken1577 discover1588 1577 M. Hanmer tr. Bp. Eusebius in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. viii. xxvii. 167 Some watched diligently, kenning from towres, casements, and high places. 1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales iii. i. 63 Places, from whence a man might farthest kenne. 1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 374 Spaces distant from them as far as a man may ken. 1755 E. Young Centaur iii. 173 Not the papal Infallibility can ken thro' the second of a minute. 7. a. To recognize (at sight, or by some marks or tokens); to identify. Now northern or Scottish. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > recognition > recognize, acknowledge [verb (transitive)] acknowOE anyeteOE i-kenc1000 yknowOE yknowOE knowOE seeOE kenc1275 knowledgec1330 to take knowledge ofa1400 perceive1549 agnize1568 reknowledge1611 recognize1725 reconnoitre1729 identify1746 recognizate1799 c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10700 Nu þu scalt to hælle. þer þu miht kenne muche of þine cunne. a1300 Cursor Mundi 1152 Bituix quat lede sum þat þou lend, Euer sal þou and þine bi kend. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iii. 45 ‘Sirs’, seide the kynge, ‘yef ye myght se Merlin, cowde ye hym knowen?’ ‘Sire’, seide thei, ‘it myght not be but that we sholde hym kenne wele, yef we myght him se’. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. x. sig. I8 Me when as he had priuily espide, Bearing the shield..He kend it streight. View more context for this quotation 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 63 To ken the lione be his taes. 1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vi. 15 Tis he, I ken the manner of his gate, He rises on the too. View more context for this quotation a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Northampt. 284 King James, who did ken a man of merrit, as well as any Prince in Christendome. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas I. ii. iii. 193 He kenned me in a twinkling, though I had changed my dress. 1816 S. T. Coleridge Christabel ii. 34 He kenn'd In the beautiful lady the child of his friend! 1901 N.E.D. at Ken Mod. Sc. Ye're grown that big, I hardly kent ye. b. To (be able to) distinguish (one person or thing from another). Now Scottish. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > discernment, discrimination > discern [verb (transitive)] > recognize as different sundereOE distinct1303 knowc1330 distinguea1340 kena1400 tella1425 discern1484 distinguish1561 smell1582 discriminate1637 undifference1654 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 23116 Fro comynynge of cristen men Þo careful shul be eþ to ken. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3911 The ton fro þe tother was tore for to ken In sight at þat sodan. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Sept. 42 The shepheards swayne you cannot wel ken, But it be by his pryde, from other men. 1901 N.E.D. at Ken Mod. Sc. They're that like, I never ken the tane frae the tither. †8. a. To recognize, acknowledge, admit to be (genuine, valid, or what is claimed). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > acknowledgement or recognition > acknowledge or recognize [verb (transitive)] yknowOE knowc1175 yatec1175 knowledgec1225 vow1338 granta1387 kenc1400 admit1415 reknowledgec1450 acknowledge?1526 agnize1535 recognize1537 recognoscea1550 justify1600 granta1620 to take with ——a1653 recognizance1657 agnite1694 recognizate1799 c1400 in Neilson Trial by Combat (1890) 229 Schir, kenys thow this is thi sele and thine appele? ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 5196 His mysse þat he moght ken. c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 77 Now new lawis kennyn prescripcoun, þat if ani be in posessioun of oþer mennis þingis by a cercle of ȝeris, he schal ioi it as his oune. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 750 And yai as lord suld him ken. b. Scots Law. To recognize (a person) as legal heir or successor to an estate; usually, to serve a widow to a life-rent of the third part of her deceased husband's lands. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > succession > cause to descend by succession [verb (transitive)] > succeed to > recognize as legal successor ken1468 serve1494 society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > right to succeed to title, position, or estate > succession > cause to descend by succession [verb (transitive)] > cause to descend by inheritance > cause to inherit > serve widow to legal inheritance ken1468 widowa1616 1468 Burgh Rec. Aberdeen 20 Mar. (Spalding Club) I. 28 Askande him to be kende to the saide lande as air til his fadir. c1575 Balfour's Practicks (1754) 106 Ane lady havand the tierce of ony landis..the schiref of the schire sould ken hir to hir thrid part thairof. 1754 J. Erskine Princ. Law Scotl. I. ii. Tit. ix. §29 She..cannot remove tenants, till the Sheriff kens her to her terce. 1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. To ken a widow to her terce,..a phrase still used in our courts of law. †9. To get to know, ascertain, find out. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > discovery > find out, discover [verb (transitive)] seeOE fanda1000 finda1200 kenc1330 lenda1350 agropea1393 contrive1393 to find outc1405 outsearch?a1439 ripec1440 inventc1475 disclose?a1500 fish1531 agnize?1570 discover1585 to grope out1590 out-find1590 expiscate1598 vent1611 to learn out1629 to get to know1643 develop1653 ascertain1794 stag1796 root1866 to get a line on1903 establish1919 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 270 Clerkis and lewed men suld..trie þe soth and ken, in whom þe wrong lay. 1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. diiii Sa y^t the cause may be kend and knawin throw skill. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1452 What myschefe befell, þere no cause was to ken but vnkynd wordes. 1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. i. vi. 20 Calde..To Ken of whence and where they would. 10. To know (a person); to have acquaintance with; to be acquainted with. Now Scottish. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > make friends with [verb (transitive)] > make acquaintance > know or be acquainted with canOE knowOE kenc1420 c1420 Sir Amadace ii Sithun duelle here, quere I was borne..And I am so wele kennit. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 327 Yat he wald trawaile our ye se..And dre myscheiff quhar nane hym kend. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iv. 72 He mette with a man that he nothinge kenned. a1586 Peblis to Play in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. 176 That spak hir fallowis þat hir kend be still my Ioy and greit nocht. 1597 A. Montgomerie Sonn. xxvi In Cupids court ȝe knau I haif bene kend. 1606 P. Holland in tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars Annot. 14 Al while that I you kenned not, I cald you L[ord] & King. 1820 W. Scott Monastery II. i. 11 I have kenn'd every wench in the Halidome of St. Mary's. 1901 N.E.D. at Ken Mod. Sc. ‘Everybodie kens Watty the Post.’ Is there oniebodie ye ken here? 11. a. To know (a thing); to have knowledge of or about (a thing, place, person, etc.), to be acquainted with; †to understand. Now chiefly Scottish. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)] yknoweOE acknowOE anyeteOE latchc1000 undernimc1000 understandc1000 underyetec1000 afindOE knowOE seeOE onfangc1175 takec1175 underfindc1200 underfonga1300 undertakea1300 kenc1330 gripea1340 comprehend1340 comprendc1374 espyc1374 perceivea1387 to take for ——?1387 catcha1398 conceivea1398 intenda1400 overtakea1400 tenda1400 havec1405 henta1450 comprise1477 skilla1500 brook1548 apprend1567 compass1576 perstanda1577 endue1590 sound1592 engrasp1593 in1603 fathom1611 resent1614 receivea1616 to take up1617 apprehend1631 to take in1646 grasp1680 understumblec1681 forstand1682 savvy1686 overstand1699 uptake1726 nouse1779 twig1815 undercumstand1824 absorb1840 sense1844 undercumstumble1854 seize1855 intelligize1865 dig1935 read1956 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > know, be conversant with [verb (transitive)] witc888 yknoweOE witOE canOE knowOE kenc1330 acquainta1393 quaint1509 understand1541 to summer and winter1602 possess1607 c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 78 Symple men Þat strange Inglis can not ken. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 12148 I kene wele þat ilk siquar Quen þat ȝu ȝur moderis bare. c1418 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 243 I have wel lever No more kyn than my a, b, c. c1430 Christ's Compl. 489 in Pol., Rel., & L. Poems 198 Þouȝ y cowþe al kunnynge ken. 1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. Feb. 85 I wote thou kenst little good, So vainely t'aduaunce thy headlesse hood. 1584 G. Peele Araygnem. Paris i. iv. sig. B That kens the paynted pathes of pleasunt Ida. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Warw. 124 He did ken the Embassador-Craft, as well as any in his age. 1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi ii. App. 67/1 Any Governour that Kens Hobbianism. 1828 S. T. Coleridge Work without Hope in Bijou 28 Yet well I ken the banks where Amaranths blow. 1879 J. Armstrong Kielder Hunt in Northumbld. Gloss. He kens the hauds on Tosson hills, he kens the holes at Rae. b. To know, understand, or perceive (a fact, etc.); to be aware of, to be aware that (what, etc.). Now chiefly Scottish. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > perceive [verb (transitive)] acknowOE keepc1000 feelOE findOE seeOE yknowc1275 apperceivec1300 descrivec1300 knowc1300 perceivec1330 taste1340 tellc1390 catcha1398 scenta1398 devisea1400 kena1400 concernc1425 descrya1450 henta1450 apprehend1577 scerne1590 to take in1637 discreevec1650 recognize1795 absorb1840 embrace1852 cognizea1856 cognosce1874 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > know, be aware of [verb (transitive)] witc888 underyetec893 knowOE acknowOE understanda1000 seeOE awitc1200 wota1300 beknowc1300 kena1400 cognizance1642 suppose1843 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6418 Quils moyses heild vp his hend It was wel in þat bateil kend. c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 799 Litill kennyth he what I may doo. c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 375 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 39 Ȝe suld wele ken, þat here slane has bene mony men. 1567 R. Sempill in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. 35 I ken rycht weill ȝe knaw ȝour dewtie. a1635 T. Randolph Poems (1638) 115 Dost thou ken, Collen, what the cause might be Of such a dull and generall Lethargie? 1714 J. Gay Shepherd's Week iii. 89 Now plain I ken whence Love his Rise begun. 1843 C. Dickens Christmas Carol iii. 101 Little kenned the lamp-lighter that he had any company but Christmas! 1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes I. xii. 90 I dinna ken what ye mean, Alec. c. With compl. (Chiefly in passive.) Now Scottish. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 6715 If his lauerd kenne him kene of horn. c1400 Melayne 1437 Ȝitt are we ten thowsande here..Þat wele for kene are kende. a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l 25151 For goddes sun may he noght be kend. 1721 A. Ramsay Addr. to Town Council iii To you, ne'er kend to guide ill..My case I plainly tell. 1829 J. Hogg Shepherd's Cal. I. 232 Ye're kenn'd for an auld-farrant man. 1869 C. Gibbon Robin Gray iii Ivan Carrack was ay kenned to be ready tae flee in the face o' Providence. 12. a. intransitive or absol. To have knowledge (of or about something). †Also with infinitive: To know how to, to be able to (obsolete). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > have knowledge of [verb (intransitive)] canOE to know of ——c1350 savoura1382 understanda1400 kenc1400 weeta1547 to keep up to1712 to know about ——1761 to be (or get) wise to1896 to wise up1905 to have heard of1907 to be (or get) jerry (on, on to, to)1908 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > be or become conversant [verb (intransitive)] > know how to understanda1300 wit1340 to know of ——c1350 kenc1400 skilla1586 c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 357 Þenne he cryed so cler, þat kenne myȝt alle. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 53 No creatur kenis of our doingis. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1583 Of all þe craftes to ken as þere course askit. 1659 T. Pecke Parnassi Puerperium 3 If he be happy that can Causes scan, You ken to plead our Causes. 1721 A. Ramsay Prospect of Plenty i A lairdship wide, That yields mair plenty than he kens to guide. 1816 W. Scott Old Mortality x, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 236 It was his father then ye kent o'. †b. reflexive. To have skill; to be accomplished in. (= French se connaître en.) Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > be skilled in [verb (reflexive)] ken1362 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ii. 202 He kennede him in heore craft and kneuȝ mony gummes. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 703 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 117 The boytour callit was cuke yat him weile kend In craftis of ye ketchyne. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † kenv.² Forms: Old English cennan, Middle English kennen. past tense Old English cende, kende, Middle English kennede, Middle English kynned. past participle Old English ( ge)cenned, Middle English kenned, Middle English ( y)kennyd, ( y)kend, kynned, Middle English kynde. Etymology: Old English cęnnan = Old Saxon kennian (past participle kennit ), Old High German (ki)chęnnan < Old Germanic kannjan , < kan- , second ablaut grade of the series kin- , kan- , kun- (see kin n.¹). See also kene v. Obsolete. 1. a. transitive. To generate, engender, beget; to conceive; to give birth to. ΘΚΠ the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > multiply or reproduce [verb (transitive)] kenc825 begeteOE strenec893 raisec1175 breeda1250 kenec1275 felefolda1300 engendera1325 tiddera1325 multiplyc1350 genderc1384 producea1513 procreatea1525 propagate1535 generate1552 product1577 kind1596 traduce1599 pullulate1602 traduct1604 progenerate1611 store1611 spawna1616 spawna1617 reproduce1650 propage1695 to make a baby1911 a900 Leiden Riddle 2 Mec se ueta uong..ob his innaðae aerest caendae [Exeter Bk. cende]. c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) i. 25 Heo cende hyre frum-cennedan sunu. c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 31 Ure lafdi seinte marie kennede of holie lichame ure louerd ihesu crist. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 12 Þe zone..wes y-kend of þe holi gost. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 192 He shal be so kynde That a madyn, sothely, Which neuer synde, Shall hym bere. figurative.c825 Vesp. Psalter vii. 15 Sehðe cenneð unrehtwisnisse.c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 915 Hov schulde I huyde me fro hem þat hatz his hate kynned. b. absol. To conceive or bear a child. ΘΚΠ the world > life > source or principle of life > birth > confinement > be confined [verb (intransitive)] > give birth kenc1000 childc1175 beara1382 labour1454 to cry out1623 parturiate1649 pup1708 to fall in two1788 accouche1819 to have one's bed1848 pip1973 to put to bed1973 c1000 Ælfric Genesis xviii. 13 Sceal ic nu eald wif cennan? c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 7879 Wimmon þurh heore cræfte kenneð anan. 2. intransitive. To be conceived or born. Of eggs: To hatch out. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > animal body > general parts > sexual organs and reproduction > [verb (intransitive)] > hatch out ken1399 bradden1653 breed1661 the world > life > biology > biological processes > procreation or reproduction > conception > conceive [verb (intransitive)] > be conceived ken1399 1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 51 [She] houeth the eyren..And with hir corps keuereth hem till þat þey kenne. a1400 St. Erkenwolde 209 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 271 Before þat kynned ȝour Criste by cristene acounte A þousande ȝere. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1072 Bot much clener watz hir corse, God kynned þerinne. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1901; most recently modified version published online December 2021). < n.¹1545n.²1567n.³1727n.⁴1882n.⁵1890v.¹c975v.²c825
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