cognizance

Noun
Synonyms: awarenessconsciousnesscognisanceknowingnessken

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. 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”Synonyms: awarenessconsciousnesscognisanceknowingness
  2. range of what one can know or understand“beyond my ken”Synonyms: ken
  3. range or scope of what is perceived
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Webster's Dictionary (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]
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