Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Knawing, vbl. n. Also: -yng(e, -ine, knauing. [North. and north midl. ME. knawinge, knaing, f. Knaw v.] a. Knowledge, comprehension, intimation, information; also foreknowledge. b. Distinguishing, recognising. 1375 Barb. iv. 692.
Thai … makis fanding Of thingis to cum to haf knawing Ib. vi. 556.
[The dog] Held evyn the vay eftir the Kyng, Richt as he had of hym knawyng a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 1136.
For-thi full gret foly it is … for till haf of it k[n]awine That he ma cum to for na thing 1398 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 38.
For to mak cler knawyng to the lordes c1420 Ratis R. 1734.
As gryt ȝovthed has na knaving, Richt sa grit eild has tynt that thing That it eir knev Ib. 1797.
Knawinge Be-twene vertew and vicious thinge 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 419.
To caus furneis … to the foure fowle clengeris … ane jowpe of blak … for designing and knawing of thame