noun

1. the act, fact, or state of knowing; specif.,
   1. acquaintance or familiarity (with a fact, place, etc.)
   2. awareness
   3. understanding
2. acquaintance with facts; range of information, awareness, or understanding
3. all that has been perceived or grasped by the mind; learning; enlightenment
4. the body of facts, principles, etc. acquired through human experience and thought
5. Archaic carnal knowledge

Etymology: ME knoweleche, acknowledgment, confession < Late OE cnawlæc < cnawan (see know) + -læc < lācan, to play, give, move about