beknow

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   archaic or dialectal: to know about, recognize, or understand

   The custom was well beknown to every family in the village.

2. 2
   verb

   archaic: to acknowledge, own, or confess

   At last he chose to beknow his fault before the assembled court.

From Middle English beknowen or biknowen and Old English becnawan, 'to know or know about,' formed from be- + know. A second historical sense, 'acknowledge or confess,' reflects making something known or owning it openly. The verb now survives chiefly in archaic and dialectal use.

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