Definitions for know-nothing
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Random House Webster's College Dictionary
know′-noth`ing(n.)
an ignorant or totally uninformed person; ignoramus.
(caps.) a member of a U.S. political party of the 1850s, whose aim was to exclude Catholics and the foreign-born from political participation: so called because members professed ignorance of the party's activities.
Category: American History
an agnostic.
Origin of know-nothing:
1815–25
Webster Dictionary
Know-nothing(noun)
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
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