known

Everyday

1. Known is the form of know used after have or be: I have known her for years. It is known. tree →
2. As an adjective, known means that people have it in their mind or have found it out. tree →
3. Well-known means famous, known by many people. tree →

In the lessons

In maths, a word of the question: the numbers that are known versus the one to find (the unknown); «use the known facts». In science, known facts versus questions not yet answered. In everyday life: a well-known song, a known danger. Phrases: «well-known», «known as», «unknown», «make known».

Examples

• The length is known, the width is not. tree →
• Use the known numbers to find the total. tree →
• It is known that each box has 6 eggs. tree →
• I have known my best friend since nursery. tree →
• The Sun is known as a star. tree →
• It's a well-known story about three bears. tree →
• The number of fish in the sea is not known exactly. tree →
• This road is known for its traffic jams. tree →
• Little is known of his history. tree →

Note

Known is never the simple past: «I knew», not «I known»; «I have known». The k is silent. Marks given facts. No operation. Trap: «unknown number» is the one to find.

In Jewish tradition

In the war against Midian, girls who "had not known man" were spared, and the phrase is a gentle way of speaking about marriage relations. In Judges, Samson's strength is "not known", meaning its secret was hidden. In the Psalms, God knows a person completely, and makes Himself known as a stronghold.

Interpretation. The rabbis used this language to show that the Torah avoids crude words and speaks in a clean, careful way. Psalm 139 is read as teaching that God knows each person's inner thoughts, and Psalm 48 as showing God's protection of Jerusalem.

Examples

• But all the women children, that have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves. (Torah NUM.31.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• and thirty and two thousand persons in all, of the women that had not known man by lying with him. (Torah NUM.31.35, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. (Torah NUM.31.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• So his strength was not known. (Prophets JDG.16.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. (Writings PSA.139.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• God in her palaces hath made Himself known for a stronghold. (Writings PSA.48.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Known is never the simple past: «I knew», not «I known»; «I have known». The k is silent. Marks given facts. No operation. Trap: «unknown number» is the one to find.