unbeknown

unbeknown
unbeknown (adj.) 1630s, from UN- (Cf. un-) (1) "not" + beknown (see BEKNOW (Cf. beknow)).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • unbeknown — UK [ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊn] / US [ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊn] or unbeknownst UK [ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊnst] / US [ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊnst] adjective unbeknown to someone …   English dictionary

  • unbeknown — unbeknown, unbeknownst These alternatives for the more usual word unknown entered the language in the 17c and 19c respectively. They are typically used in asides in the form unbeknown to or unbeknownst to (someone), and in current use unbeknownst …   Modern English usage

  • unbeknown — (also unbeknownst) ► ADJECTIVE (unbeknown to) ▪ without the knowledge of …   English terms dictionary

  • Unbeknown — Un be*known , a. Not known; unknown. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unbeknown — [un΄bēnōnst′un΄bē nōn′] adj. unknown or unperceived; without one s knowledge: usually with to: also unbeknownst [un΄bēnōnst′] …   English World dictionary

  • unbeknown — adj. (cannot stand alone) unbeknown to (unbeknown to us, they had already left) * * * [ˌʌnbɪ nəʊn] (cannot stand alone) unbeknown to (unbeknown to us, they had already left) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • unbeknown — un|be|known [ˌʌnbıˈnəun US ˈnoun] adv also un|be|knownst [ ˈnəunst US ˈnounst] written [sentence adverb] unbeknown to sb without that person knowing about it ▪ Unbeknown to him, his wife had been trying to phone him all morning …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • unbeknown — [[t]ʌ̱nbɪno͟ʊn[/t]] PHR PREP (The form unbeknownst [[t]ʌ̱nbɪno͟ʊnst[/t]] is also used.) If something happens unbeknown to you or unbeknownst to you, you do not know about it. I am appalled that children can mount up debts unbeknown to their… …   English dictionary

  • unbeknown — also unbeknownst (sentence adverb) unbeknown to sb without that person knowing about it: Unbeknown to him, his wife had been trying to phone him all morning …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • unbeknown — /ʌnbəˈnoʊn/ (say unbuh nohn) phrase unbeknown to, unknown or unperceived by; without the knowledge of: unbeknown to his friends, he was broke. Also, unbeknowns …  

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