'Cognizance' definitions:

Definition of 'cognizance'

(from WordNet)
noun
Having knowledge of; "he had no awareness of his mistakes"; "his sudden consciousness of the problem he faced"; "their intelligence and general knowingness was impressive" [syn: awareness, consciousness, cognizance, cognisance, knowingness] [ant: incognizance]
noun
Range of what one can know or understand; "beyond my ken" [syn: cognizance, ken]
noun
Range or scope of what is perceived

Definition of 'Cognizance'

From: GCIDE
  • Cognizance \Cog"ni*zance\ (? or ?; 277), 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]

Synonyms of 'cognizance'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Cognizance'