Know-nothing

Know-nothing
Know-nothing Know"-noth`ing, n. A member of a secret political organization in the United States, the chief objects of which were the proscription of foreigners by the repeal of the naturalization laws, and the exclusive choice of native Americans for office. [1913 Webster]

Note: The party originated in 1853, and existed for about three years. The members of it were called Know-nothings, because they replied ``I don't know,'' to any questions asked them in reference to the party. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Know-Nothing — Citoyen Know Nothing, le plus jeune fils de l Oncle Sam, lithographie de Sarony (1854). Cette estampe nationaliste, publiée à New York lors de l apogée du mouvement, récupère les symboles de l Union (et notamment le Star Spangled Banner à l… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • know-nothing — ignoramus, 1827, from KNOW (Cf. know) + NOTHING (Cf. nothing). As a U.S. nativist political party, active 1853 56, the name refers to the secret society at the core of the party, about which members were instructed to answer, if asked about it,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • know-nothing — know nothingism, n. /noh nuth ing/, n. 1. an ignorant or totally uninformed person; ignoramus. 2. an agnostic. 3. (caps.) U.S. Hist. a member of a political party (American party or Know Nothing party) prominent from 1853 to 1856, whose aim was… …   Universalium

  • Know Nothing — Партийный идеал гражданина …   Википедия

  • know-nothing — [nō′nuth΄iŋ] n. 1. an ignorant person; ignoramus 2. Rare an agnostic 3. [Know Nothing] a member of a secret political party in the U.S. in the 1850s with a program of keeping out of public office anyone not a native born American: so called… …   English World dictionary

  • know-nothing — ► NOUN ▪ an ignorant person …   English terms dictionary

  • Know Nothing — American Party Citizen Know Nothing The Know Nothing Party s nativist ideal Founded 1845 ( …   Wikipedia

  • Know Nothing — Citoyen Know Nothing, le plus jeune fils de l Oncle Sam, lithographie de Sarony (1854). Cette estampe nationaliste, publiée à New York lors de l apogée du mouvement, récupère les symboles de l Union (et notamment le Star Spangled Banner à l… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Know Nothing — Ciudadano Know Nothing, imagen del ideal del partido. El movimiento Know Nothing (lit. Saber nada ) fue un movimiento político estadounidense predominantemente nativista de las décadas de 1840 y 1850. Surgió inspirado por el temor hacia los… …   Wikipedia Español

  • know-nothing — I. ˈnōˌnəthiŋ, thēŋ adjective 1. : extremely ignorant a know nothing blunderer 2. often capitalized K&N : of, relating to, or characterized by know nothingism the Know Nothing party … proposed the political proscription of Roman Catholics… …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”