1.The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition. "Knowledge, which is the highest degree of the speculative faculties, consists in the perception of the truth of affirmative or negative propositions."
2.That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; chiefly used in the plural. "There is a great difference in the delivery of the mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges." "Knowledges is a term in frequent use by Bacon, and, though now obsolete, should be revived, as without it we are compelled to borrow "cognitions" to express its import." "To use a word of Bacon's, now unfortunately obsolete, we must determine the relative value of knowledges."
3.That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition. "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." "Ignorance is the curse of God; Knowledge, the wing wherewith we fly to heaven."
4.That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life. "Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea."
5.Scope of information; cognizance; notice; as, it has not come to my knowledge. "Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me?"
6.Sexual intercourse; usually preceded by carnal; same as carnal knowledge.
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