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know-nothings

know-noth·ing
K k

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [noh-nuhth-ing]
    • /ˈnoʊˌnʌθ ɪŋ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [noh-nuhth-ing]
    • /ˈnoʊˌnʌθ ɪŋ/

Definitions of know-nothings word

  • noun know-nothings an ignorant or totally uninformed person; ignoramus. 1
  • noun know-nothings an agnostic. 1
  • noun know-nothings (initial capital letters) U.S. History. a member of a political party (American party or Know-Nothing party) prominent from 1853 to 1856, whose aim was to keep control of the government in the hands of native-born citizens: so called because members originally professed ignorance of the party's activities. 1
  • noun know-nothings a person whose anti-intellectualism, xenophobia, and other political attitudes recall the Know-Nothings. 1
  • adjective know-nothings grossly ignorant; totally uninformed. 1
  • adjective know-nothings agnostic. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of know-nothings

First appearance:

before 1815
One of the 39% newest English words
First recorded in 1815-25

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Know-nothings

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

know-nothings popularity

This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 27% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

Synonyms for know-nothings

noun know-nothings

  • fool — to trick, deceive, or impose on: They tried to fool him.
  • dunce — a dull-witted, stupid, or ignorant person; dolt.
  • idiot — Informal. an utterly foolish or senseless person: If you think you can wear that outfit to a job interview and get hired, you're an idiot!
  • blockhead — a stupid person
  • imbecile — Informal. a dunce; blockhead; dolt: Don't stand there like an imbecile. Open the door!.

Antonyms for know-nothings

noun know-nothings

  • brain — Your brain is the organ inside your head that controls your body's activities and enables you to think and to feel things such as heat and pain.

Top questions with know-nothings

  • why did the know-nothings gain power in the 1840s?

See also

Matching words

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