n. [ OF. conissance, conoissance, F. connaissance, LL. cognoscentia, fr. L. cognoscere to know. See Cognition, and cf. Cognoscence, Connoisseur. ] 1. Apprehension by the understanding; perception; observation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Within the cognizance and lying under the control of their divine Governor. Bp. Hurd [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Recollection; recognition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Who, soon as on that knight his eye did glance,
Eftsoones of him had perfect cognizance. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) (a) Jurisdiction, or the power given by law to hear and decide controversies. (b) The hearing a matter judicially. (c) An acknowledgment of a fine of lands and tenements or confession of a thing done. [ Eng. ] (d) A form of defense in the action of replevin, by which the defendant insists that the goods were lawfully taken, as a distress, by defendant, acting as servant for another. [ Eng. ] Cowell. Mozley & W. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The distinguishing mark worn by an armed knight, usually upon the helmet, and by his retainers and followers: Hence, in general, a badge worn by a retainer or dependent, to indicate the person or party to which he belonged; a token by which a thing may be known. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wearing the liveries and cognizance of their master. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

This pale and angry rose,
As cognizance of my blood-drinking hate. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Failure to cognize, apprehended, or notice. [ 1913 Webster ]

This incognizance may be explained. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. reconnaissance, OF. recognoissance, fr. recognoissant, p. pr. of recognoistre to recognize, F. reconnaître, fr. L. recognoscere; pref. re- re- + cognoscere to know. See Cognizance, Know, and cf. Recognize, Reconnoissance. ] [ Written also recognisance. ] 1. (Law) (a) An obligation of record entered into before some court of record or magistrate duly authorized, with condition to do some particular act, as to appear at the same or some other court, to keep the peace, or pay a debt. A recognizance differs from a bond, being witnessed by the record only, and not by the party's seal. (b) The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize. Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Among lawyers the g in this and the related words (except recognize) is usually silent. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge. [ 1913 Webster ]

That recognizance and pledge of love
Which I first gave her. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition. [ 1913 Webster ]