knowingness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English knowing Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English knowingness From knowing + -ness.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The quality or state of being knowing.
Dripping with unearned knowingness, indifferent to the factual debate involved.
2007 February 4, David Berreby, “No ____ Need Apply”, in New York Times:
- (countable, uncountable) Pretending to already be informed, as contrasted with a willingness to learn.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| knowingnesses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |