cognizance Hear it!

cognizance definition

cog·ni·zance (käg′nə zəns; occas. kän′ə-)

noun

  1. perception or knowledge; esp., the range of knowledge possible through observation
  2. official observation of or authority over something
  3. Heraldry a distinguishing badge or device
  4. Law
    1. the hearing of a case in court
    2. the right or power of dealing with a matter judicially; jurisdiction

Etymology: ME cognisaunce < OFr conoissance, knowledge < conoissant, prp. of conoistre, to know < L cognoscere: see cognition

cognizance Idioms

take cognizance of

to notice or recognize

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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