Dictionary
known' quan'tity
1. Math.a quantity whose value is given: in algebra, frequently represented by a letter from the first part of the alphabet, as
a, b, or
c.
2. any factor, circumstance, etc., that is already accepted or familiar:
Her honesty is a known quantity. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.