Combines 'know' (from PIE *gneh3-) with the suffix '-leche' (action) — sharing its root with Greek 'gnosis.'
Facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
From Middle English 'knowleche,' formed from 'knowen' (to know) + the suffix '-leche' (action, process), related to Old English '-lāc' (a suffix denoting action or practice, as in 'wedlāc' → wedlock). The verb 'know' descends from Old English 'cnāwan' (to perceive, recognize), from Proto-Germanic '*knēaną,' from PIE *ǵneh₃- (to know). The same PIE root produced Greek 'gnōsis,' Latin 'gnōscere/nōscere,' and Sanskrit
The 'k' in 'knowledge' was once pronounced. In Old English 'cnāwan,' both consonants were sounded — 'kuh-NAH-wan.' English dropped the /k/ before /n/ in pronunciation around the 17th century but kept it in spelling, which is why we write 'know,' 'knight,' 'knee,' and 'knife' with silent k's that German still pronounces (Knie, Knecht, Knabe).