knowingly
UK[ˈnəʊɪŋli]US[ˈnoʊɪŋli]
adv
in a way that shows one knows what is happening or has information about something, especially when this is wrong or illegal
adv
in a way that shows one is aware of something and intends it to happen
Morpheme Breakdown
know
ing
ly
know
to have knowledge
ing
present participle suffix
ly
adverb-forming suffix
Etymology
the adverb 'knowingly' is a transparent english formation built upon the core germanic verb 'know'. the old english ancestor cnāwan is traced to the proto-germanic knēaną, itself from the proto-indo-european root ǵneh₃-, meaning "to know." the addition of the present participle suffix '-ing' creates the adjective 'knowing,' which describes a state of awareness. finally, the adverbial suffix '-ly,' derived from old english '-līce' (meaning "having the body or form of"), converts this adjective into an adverb, specifying the manner of an action. thus, 'knowingly' literally means "in a knowing manner," directly preserving the ancient sense of acting with conscious awareness or intent.
Analysis
Structure: know (to have knowledge) + ing (present participle suffix) + ly (adverb-forming suffix)
know (from old english cnāwan, meaning "to know, perceive, recognize"), ing (from old english -ende, present participle suffix), ly (from old english -līce, adverb-forming suffix)
Examples
she knowingly made a false statement to the authorities.
he nodded knowingly, as if he had been expecting the news all along.
the company was accused of knowingly selling defective products.