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.
Knawleg(e, -ledg(e, v. Also: kna-. [Late north. ME. knawlege (1428, 1483), ME. know-, kno(u)lech(e, later and e.m.E. also -lege, -ledg(e, early ME. i-cnoulechien (a 1240), cnawleche(n (a 1225), ulterior history of this (and of Knawlag(e n.) uncertain.]
1. tr. To acknowledge, admit, own; also, to confess. Variously const. b. To own, accept (one as the King).1439 Acts II. 54/1.
The said princes … has considerit and knawlegis that quhat thing the saidis personis did … thai did it of gude … motife Ib.
The foresaid sir Alexander … declaris and knawlegis … that [etc.] c1520-c1535 Nisbet Luke xi. 41 margin.
Knawlegyng … that … we ar bot vnfaithful; seruantis 1551 Hamilton Cat. 197.
As … men of weir … beiris apon thame thair princis baige … that … thai may knawlege thame self to be that kingis knichtis a1578 Pitsc. I. 308/18.
To reid the word of God … quhairbe thai may knawledg thair awin sins and repent of the samin Ib. II. 65/14.
Sanct James said. knawledge [1563, knowledge] ȝour sins ane to ane wtherb. 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 22.
Considder how mony … honest meanys ȝe haif socht … to caus the King be knawlegeit and the cuntre put at rest
2. To profess, declare, make known.c1520-c1535 Nisbet I. 4.
Quhar trew faith is … the man … declaris him self and brekis oute be gude workis, knawleging and teching this gospell vnto vthir menn 1626 Garden Worthies 75.
Thy nature, name, & thy nobilitie, Cleen knaleg'd by thy courses made them knowne
3. To make judicial inquiry into, take legal cognizance of; also, to give judgment upon, decide judicially.1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i. 105.
And gif it [the judgement] be againe said in the schiref court, it sould be knawledged in the justice court Ib.
It is lawful to the appeiller … to gaine say any judgement given against him … fra court to court; till it be decried and knawledged against him, or with him be the parliament Ib. 105 b.
The richt or the wrang to be knawledged and decrited … the four burrowes are … to knawledge the judgment that is againe said
