A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Knawin, ppl. a. Also: knawyn, knauin. [North. ME. knaun (Cursor M.); Knaw v.1 (cf. 11 b, 12 b, 14).]
1. Of persons or things: Known. a. Personally or familiarly known to one, familiar; known of or about, well-known.a1400 Leg. S. xl. 109.
He tuk leif … At his frendis & knawine men c1420 Wynt. viii. 5158.
And gyve he na had all gentillmen, He bad tak knawyn yhwmen then 1456 Hay I. 148/18.
That he has chosyn him … for his knawyn manfulnes 1513 Doug. xiii. ix. 92.
The fleand egill … , Ane knawyn takyn to pepill Hectorian 1540 Crim. Trials I. i. 228.
[He] tuik ane knawin ring from his finger, and send to thame as ane previe taikin 1600-1610 Melvill 318.
[The King's] knawin and kythit favour to the Earl of Hountlie 1609 Acts IV. 434/1.
The haill knawin feadis within the kingdome being now removed 1629 Justic. Cases I. 132.
Being deludit be the devill they beleave that thay sie sumtymes knawin and uther tymes unknawin persones
b. Known as of the specified character; known to be so.(1) c1475 Wall. ix. 1940.
Knawin enemys thai couth him nocht disayff 1520 Selkirk B. Ct. fol. 79.
In tyme cummyng quha is knawin tulȝeour … to be realye puneist 1568 Hosack Mary Q. of Scots 539.
She … wilfullie retenit the nominat and knawin murtherar of hir husband in hir cumpanie 1591 Crim. Trials I. ii. 244.
For seiking help … att Rychard Grahame, notoure and knawin nigromancear 1600-1610 Melvill 117.
The graittest part of his assysars being his knawin unfreinds, he was condamned(2) 1562-3 Winȝet I. 26/1.
To maling … aganis the knawin veritie
2. Of persons: Informed of, instructed or versed (in), conversant with (something). Cf. Knaw v. 9 and Knowin a. b and c.1375 Barb. xx. 352 (E).
Gud men that wer Weill knawyn of [H. with] that landis wer
