cognizance

[kog-nuh-zuh ns, kon-uh-] /ˈkɒg nə zəns, ˈkɒn ə-/
noun
1.
awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception:
The guests took cognizance of the snide remark.
2.
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.
3.
the range or scope of knowledge, observation, etc.:
Such understanding is beyond his cognizance.
4.
Heraldry. a device by which a person or a person's servants or property can be recognized; badge.
Also, cognisance.
Origin
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 forms
noncognizance, noun
self-cognizance, noun
Synonyms
1. note, heed, attention, regard, scrutiny.
Examples from the web for cognizance
  • Surely there ought to be some cognizance taken of these recurring horrors.
  • The root of these heart-wrenching fluctuations between cognizance and confusion has eluded scientists for years.
  • The state takes no cognizance of private sin until it becomes a public crime.
  • Ignorance of things affecting cognizance does not provide proof of lying.
  • The eyes have it, when it comes to cognizance of inner security.
  • It is because economics takes no cognizance of morals that it justifies many things which are unmoral.
  • Moreover they take cognizance of superiority of earlier occupancy and exercise of practical sway that is continuous and peaceful.
  • The committee has cognizance of all matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies.
  • The committee has cognizance of all matters relating to appropriations and the budgets.
  • Program managers are also provided a means to compare performances of laboratories under their cognizance.
British Dictionary definitions for cognizance

cognizance

/ˈkɒɡnɪzəns; ˈkɒnɪ-/
noun
1.
knowledge; acknowledgment
2.
take cognizance of, to take notice of; acknowledge, esp officially
3.
the range or scope of knowledge or perception
4.
(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 US) confession
5.
(heraldry) a distinguishing badge or bearing
Word Origin
C14: from Old French conoissance, from conoistre to know, from Latin cognōscere to learn; see cognition
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.