al sien escient

Old French

Alternative forms

• al sien esciant
• au sien esciant
• au sien esciant

Etymology

a (“to”) + le (“the”) + sien (“one's”) + escient (“knowledge”).

Phrase

al sien escient

1. to the best of one's knowledge; as far as one knows
   • circa 1170, Chrétien de Troyes, Érec et Énide:

     Fet Erec, au mien esciant
     Ce sont menaces de neant;

     Erec said "as far as I know
     These are empty threats"

References

• Yvain ou le Chevalier au Lion, page 67, part of the 'philological and grammatical commentary' by André Esékénazi. →ISBN