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definitions

cognizance

or cog·ni·sance

[kog-nuh-zuhns, kon-uh-]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cognizance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception: The guests took cognizance of the snide remark.
Law.
  1. judicial notice as taken by a court in dealing with a cause.
  2. the right of taking jurisdiction, as possessed by a court.
  3. acknowledgment; admission, as a plea admitting the fact alleged in the declaration.
the range or scope of knowledge, observation, etc.: Such understanding is beyond his cognizance.
Heraldry. a device by which a person or a person's servants or property can be recognized; badge.

Origin of cognizance

1250–1300; Middle English conisa(u)nce < Middle French con(o)is(s)ance, equivalent to conois(tre) to know (< Latin cognōscere; see cognition) + -ance -ance; forms with -g- (< Latin) from the 16th century
Related formsnon·cog·ni·zance, nounself-cog·ni·zance, noun

Synonyms for cognizance

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cognizance ON THESAURUS.COM
1. note, heed, attention, regard, scrutiny.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for cognizance

bearing, notice, perception, observation, cognition, regard, insight, heed, mark, jurisdiction, attention, grasp, recognition, knowledge

Examples from the Web for cognizance

Historical Examples of cognizance

  • Yet of this interval the utilitarian theory takes no cognizance.

  • A searching by, or cognizance of, a magistrate, or other authorized officer.

    The Sailor's Word-Book

    William Henry Smyth

  • The Chinese who have gone have been with Chinese cognizance, but not under Chinese protection.

    Peking Dust

    Ellen N. La Motte

  • There was no cognizance of anything except this one maddening girl.

    The Indian On The Trail

    Mary Hartwell Catherwood

  • The wiser they are in intelligence the less perception of cognizance they have.

British Dictionary definitions for cognizance

cognizance

cognisance

noun

knowledge; acknowledgment
take cognizance of to take notice of; acknowledge, esp officially
the range or scope of knowledge or perception
law
  1. the right of a court to hear and determine a cause or matter
  2. knowledge of certain facts upon which the court must act without requiring proof
  3. mainly USconfession
heraldry a distinguishing badge or bearing

Word Origin for cognizance

C14: from Old French conoissance, from conoistre to know, from Latin cognōscere to learn; see cognition
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for cognizance
n.

mid-14c., from Anglo-French conysance "recognition," later, "knowledge," from Old French conoissance "acquaintance, recognition; knowledge, wisdom" (Modern French connaissance), from past participle of conoistre "to know," from Latin cognoscere "to get to know, recognize," from com- "together" (see co-) + gnoscere "to know" (see notice (n.)). The -g- was restored in English spelling 15c. and has gradually affected the pronunciation, which was always "con-." The old pronunciation lingered longest in legal use.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper