unbeknown

[ uhn-bi-nohn ]

/ ˌʌn bɪˈnoʊn /

unknown; unperceived; without one's knowledge (usually followed by to).

Also un·be·knownst

[uhn-bi-nohnst] /ˌʌn bɪˈnoʊnst/.

Origin of unbeknown

1630–40; un-¹ + beknown (late Middle English beknowe, past participle of beknowen); see be-, known

Sometimes we would, unbeknown to our master, assemble in a cabin and sing songs and spirituals.

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States |Work Projects Administration
All unbeknown to any of us, she had fallen in love with Ralph Hathaway, a handsome, penniless adventurer from the West.

Flood Tide |Sara Ware Bassett
But the ring and the vile laws laid holt of her, unbeknown to her, and dragged her down.

Sweet Cicely |Josiah Allen's Wife: Marietta Holley
That wonderful man, as is always prowling about, unbeknown to any one.

Cripps, the Carrier |R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore

Mr. Lincoln told the general he would like to let Jeff Davis escape all unbeknown to himself: he had no use for him.

Recollections of Abraham Lincoln 1847-1865 |Ward Hill Lamon

unbeknown

/ (ˌʌnbɪˈnəʊn) /

(sentence modifier foll by to) without the knowledge (of a person) unbeknown to him she had left the country Also (esp Brit): unbeknownst

(postpositive usually foll by to) rare not known (to)

C17: from the archaic beknown known; see be-, know