- unbeknownst
- unbeknownst 1833, vulgar formation from UNBEKNOWN (Cf. unbeknown) (1630s). No clear reason for the -st, but since 19c. this has become the dominant form.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
unbeknownst
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unbeknownst — 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
unbeknownst — also unbeknown adjective Etymology: 1un + obsolete English beknown known; unbeknownst, irregular from unbeknown Date: 1636 1. happening or existing without the knowledge of someone specified usually used with to < unbeknownst to us rumors were… … New Collegiate Dictionary
unbeknownst — adj. (formal) (cannot stand alone) unbeknownst to * * * (formal) (cannot stand alone) unbeknownst to … Combinatory dictionary
unbeknownst — I adjective (usually used with to ) occurring or existing without the knowledge of a crisis unbeknown to me she had been ill for months, unbeknownst to the family • Syn: ↑unbeknown • Similar to: ↑unknown … Useful english dictionary
unbeknownst — un·be·knownst (ŭn bĭ nōnstʹ) adj. Unbeknown. adv. Without the knowledge of a specified party. Used with to: Our cousin had been ill for years, unbeknownst to the family. [unbeknown + st(as in amongst).] * * * … Universalium
unbeknownst — adverb (followed by to) Without the knowledge of. He went home early, unbeknownst to his mother … Wiktionary
unbeknownst — unbeknown UK [ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊn] / US [ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊn] or unbeknownst UK [ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊnst] / US [ˌʌnbɪˈnoʊnst] adjective unbeknown to someone … English dictionary
unbeknownst/unbeknown to — without being known about by (someone) Unbeknownst to the students, the teacher had entered the room. [=the students did not know/realize that the teacher had entered the room] ◇ In U.S. English unbeknownst is more common than unbeknown. In Brit … Useful english dictionary
unbeknownst — adj. unknown, without knowledge … English contemporary dictionary
unbeknownst — un·be·knownst … English syllables
