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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.

Know, v. Also: knou, cnou; kno, knoe. P.p. knowin, -en, knouin, knoune; know; No. [The midl. and south. ME. and e.m.E. form, cognate with the usual Sc. Knaw.Before the 17th c. confined to the most anglicised texts.]

To know, in various applications.(a) (1) a1500 Quare Jel. 81.
For of this gilt thou knowis wele my part Ib. 82, 86. a1500 Lanc. 1707.
Ther is non that knowith so wel … O worthy man [etc.] c1590 Fowler I. 126/16.
I … knoweth none bot evin my self for this suld blamed be Ib. 129/76.
O mortall misers miserable, that knowest not God this space 1670 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Proc. No. 82 (14 July).
To interrogatt quhat they knou of ther merches a1679 J. Gordon Reformed Bishop (1679) 149.
Without any supercilious command to keep their distance or (according to the new coyn'd phrase) know your measures(b) c1590 Fowler I. 111/190.
To sie gif thair war anye moe then these that I did knoe(2) a1500 Lanc. 39.
How sche … knouith not how I ame wo begone Ib. 1495.
So shalt thow know [etc.] 15.. Clar. iv. 2227.
Thocht ȝe know not quhat the lordis ment c1590 Fowler I. 83/160.
As he best knowest who saw it so a1605 Montg. Son. lxvi. 3.
Thoght ȝe be deif, I knou ȝe ar not daft 1604 Craig i. 14.
Of crueltie thou know's can come no good 1614 Highland P. III. 147.
To latt your lo. know that we had [etc.] 1653 Wemyss Corr. 97.
God cnows hou great my desayr is [etc.] 1657 Ib. 102.
Your lordship cnous I haue … bein intending [etc.](b) 1611-57 Mure Misc. P. vi. 15.
Euin so, the heauins doth kno, … no maches I admitt 1621 Highland P. III. 310.
To kno if he grunded him selue upon anie resons(c) 1558-66 Knox I. 41.
This prelatt was knowin by his proper tockenes to have bene Priour Patrik Hepburne 1570 Leslie 161.
That it wes notourly knowen that [etc.] 1587 Cal. Sc. P. IX. 247.
If ye coulde have knouin quhat diuers thochtis [etc.] 1628 Edinb. Univ. Chart. 117.
The weik before … the Principall makkis knowen to the Counsall quhat tyme they ar to begin [etc.](b) c1590 Fowler I. 380/41.
Or els that he … had … not for Priams sonne beyne know, nor Hectors brother namde

b. To know how to. 1661 Galloway P. 31 Jan.
Cuthbert Gledstanis … subscribes for those persones not knowing to write