knowledge

n.

1. That which is known

   information, learning, lore, erudition, wisdom, scholarship, facts, data, instruction, book-learning, cognizance, understanding, comprehension, enlightenment, expertise, intelligence, light, doctrine, dogma, theory, science, principles, data base, philosophy, awareness, insight, proficiency, attainments, accomplishments, education, culture, substance, observation, experience, store of learning, know-how*, the scoop*, the goods*, the know*; see also culture 3, data, experience 3.

   Antonyms emptiness, ignorance*, pretension. *

2. Awareness

   acquaintance, familiarity, conversance, consciousness; see awareness, familiarity 2.

knowledge applies to any body of facts gathered by study, observation, etc., and to the ideas inferred from these facts, and connotes an understanding of what is known man's knowledge of the universe; information applies to data that are gathered in any way, as by reading, observation, hearsay, etc. and does not necessarily connote validity inaccurate information; learning is knowledge acquired by study, especially in languages, literature, philosophy, etc.; erudition implies profound or abstruse learning beyond the comprehension of most people; wisdom implies superior judgment and understanding based on broad knowledge and experience