1. To become acquainted with, to recognize.
c. 1300. Relig. Songs, i. 31. Mon, hwi nultu the bi-cnowe?
c. 1314. Guy Warw. (Abbotsf.), 106. The Soudan him biknewe anon.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 357. So fit it wel, that thou beknowe Thy feble estate.
1475. Caxton, Jason, 48. In no wyse I wold not ben beknowen.
1560. Phaër, Æneid, Cc ij b. The lords beknew that god. [See BEKNOWN.]
2. To admit one’s knowledge of; to acknowledge, confess.
c. 1325. Coer de L., 1700. That he thynkes he wyl beknawe.
1340. Ayenb., 69. [Hi] hare folyes ne beknaweþ.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 96. To destroye him that wolde not byknowe his synnes.
c. 1440. Morte Arth. (Roxb.), 31. She moste there by know the dede.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Tr. Tong, Confesser, to confesse, to beknowe.
3. To acknowledge or recognize (a person) in some capacity or relation; e.g., to confess Christ.
c. 1315. Shoreham, 15. To biknowe Cristes name.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 24. Þat cryst be nouȝt biknowe here for consummatus deus.
4. To be beknown: to be aware or conscious of anything; hence, to avow, confess. Used like ‘to be ACKNOWN,’ but rarer.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1905. Þan was noe wel be-knauin Þat þe flode it was wit-drauin.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., III. x. 90. I am byknowen and confesse … þat god is ryȝt worþi abouen alle þinges.
1413. Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle, I. xv. 11. I am byknowe that I haue done amys.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 1627. Qwho that is of an of thir byknow.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss. (1812), I. 694. If they aske the any thyng of me, be not be knowen that I am in the toune.
