Learn English – the right verb for “knowledge” as in when we know something? Do we form knowledge, acquire knowledge, make knowledge, …

single-word-requests

What is the verb we use that describes what we do when we get some new knowledge?

It seems to me that we "acquire/obtain/gain knowledge" but then such verbs have a strong sense of activeness while sometimes we just passively know things.

Best Answer

In the collocations 'acquire knowledge' and 'gain knowledge', the connotation of 'making an effort to' is not all that strong: bleaching has taken place . 'Wrest' would be used to show a real battle, with the knowledge hard-won; 'amass' might be used to show a steady compilation.

But acquire knowledge by osmosis is an expression aimed at showing the near-accidental acquisition of knowledge as one lives one's normal life.

ODO has:

osmosis mass noun ...

2 The process of gradual or unconscious assimilation of ideas, knowledge, etc.

‘by some strange political osmosis, private reputations became public’

‘During my time as a model, I learned almost through osmosis because I dealt with people on an ongoing basis,’ she said.

An example from Knowledge and Democracy: A 21st Century Perspective edited by Nico Stehr:

... It would certainly be quicker than picking up the relevant knowledge by osmosis over many years ...

(note the informal 'pick[ing] up' used here).

And one from NEJM Journal Watch HIV Expertise: A Roundtable:

' ... when you go into a clinic and acquire knowledge by osmosis, ...'

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