Middle English Dictionary Entry

kennen v.(1)
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
(a) To make known (sth., what the case is, where sth. is, how sth. should be done), tell, teach, proclaim; announce (an answer), reveal (that sth. is the case); ~ crede [see crede n. (2) sense (b)]; ~ and kithen; (b) to suggest (a course of action, trick, plan), propose, describe; proffer (advice); (c) to show (sth.), point out; (d) to explain (sth.)
1b.
(a) To give instruction to (sb.), preach to, teach; teach (sb. to do sth.); inform (sb. that or why sth. is the case); (b) to give instruction; also, refl. become expert; (c) to show the way to (sb.), direct, guide, lead; steer (a ship); (d) to train (sb. to do sth., that he do sth.); also, ironically: make (sb.) learn (not to do sth.).
2.
(a) To give a command, prescribe; give a command to (sb.), bid, order; bid (sb. to do sth., that sth. be done); (b) to advise (sb.), counsel, exhort; exhort (sb. to do sth.); advise (sb. that sth. be done).
3.
(a) To be aware; be sure (to do sth.); know (sth.), realize; know (sb.); know (sb. or sth. to be such and such); ~ conninge, have knowledge; ~ on care, be familiar with distress; daue to ~, be known as a fool; (b) to know how (to do sth.), be able; (c) to understand (writing, a language, a mystery); ~ nombre, understand arithmetic; (d) ppl. kend, well-known, famous; also, plain, apparent; ~ lond, inhabited land; ~ for, known to be (such and such); ~ with, familiar to (sb.).
4.
(a) To come to know (sth.), ascertain, discover, learn; become acquainted with (sb.); find out (a culprit); ~ of, hear about (sb.); also, intr. find out; (b) to see, perceive, descry; see (sb. or sth.), observe; perceive by sight (that sth. is the case); ~ of, have a look at (sth.); (c) to hear; hear (sth.); (d) to ascertain (sth.) by reading; read (sth.); (e) to come across (sb.), find, meet.
5.
(a) To recognize (sb.), identify, distinguish, make out; refl. remember (oneself), remember (who one is); (b) to acknowledge (sb. as sth.); take notice of (a law), acknowledge as valid; confess (a fault), admit; ~ for, acknowledge (sb.) to be (sth.); also, announce oneself as (sth.), profess oneself; (c) ppl. in phr.: ben ken, to acknowledge (that sth. is the case), admit.
6.
(a) To speak (a word), pronounce (a word); call (a name); ~ to, call upon (God); (b) to commend (sth.), recommend; (c) to say (sth.).
7.
(a) To hand over (sb. or sth.), consign, give; ~ care, cause distress (to sb.); ~ god, do good (to sb.); (b) to go, come, journey, move; -- also refl.; ~ to, go to (sb. for support), turn to; ~ to right, go the right way.

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Ihesu the sonne (Hrl 4012)118 : The Iues kune not in that sted That thei did so grete trespas.
  • Note: New spelling
    Note: 3.