small-knowingadj.
/ˈsmɔːlˌnəʊɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈsmɔlˌnoʊɪŋ/, /ˈsmɑlˌnoʊɪŋ/ That knows or understands little. (In later use only with allusion to quot. 1598.) Cf. all-knowing adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > [adjective]
unwittyc1000
heartlessa1382
meana1387
conceitless?c1425
insensuat1508
insensate1528
insensible?1531
miskenning1533
unsensible1560
witless1562
unfraught1587
unconceiving1593
stupid1595
small-knowing1598
surd1601
ununderstanding1611
unapprehensible1613
unperceiving?1623
unapprehensive1624
inapprehending1652
incomprehensive1652
inapprehensive1653
impenetrative1684
blind1692
uncomprehensive1694
unpenetrating1701
unmeaning1704
vacant1712
gilly-gaupus1754
unacute1775
unapprehending1794
unpenetrative1795
unwitted1828
uncomprehending1838
irrecognizant1845
vacuous1848
incomprehending1881
mush-headed1884
wantwit1894
doofus1967
acerebral1968
brain-dead1972
goofus1981
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > [adjective]
unlearedeOE
untowenc1000
unwittyc1000
skillessc1175
uncouthc1220
lewda1225
lorelessa1300
simplea1325
layc1330
uncunning1340
untaughtc1340
unknowingc1350
rudea1382
roida1400
unquainta1400
ignorant?c1400
unlearnedc1400
misknowing?a1425
simple-hearted?c1425
unknownc1475
unkenningc1480
unweeting1483
nescienta1500
craftlessc1530
misliterate1532
sillya1547
ingram1553
gross1561
inscient1578
borowe1579
plain-headeda1586
empirical1588
rudeful1589
lack-learning1590
learnless?1593
wotless?1594
ingrant1597
untutored1597
small-knowing1598
uninstructed1598
unlearnt1609
unread1609
unware?1611
nescious1623
inscious1633
inscientifical1660
uninformed1702
unaware1704
unable1721
unsuspecting1776
inerudite1801
ill-informed1824
incognoscent1827
unminded1831
unknowledgeable1837
knowledgelessc1843
parviscient1862
clueless1943
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost i. i. 242 There did I see..that vnlettered smal knowing soule.
1851 K. H. Digby Compitum V. vii. 172 Protestantism contrives to impart the same daring to the unlettered, small-knowing soul, in which it thrives best, as history and experience testify.
1931 E. M. East Biol. in Human Affairs vi. 195 The small-knowing souls who offer social salvation in impracticable programs.
1994 C. T. Rubin Green Crusade iii. (heading) Small-Knowing Souls.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1598