recognize

Recognize is defined as to identify someone or something known at an earlier time.

(verb)

An example of recognize is to see an old friend in a crowd after being apart for many years.

See recognize in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to be aware of as something or someone known before, or as the same as that known: to recognize an old friend after many years
to know by some detail, as of appearance; identify: to recognize a butterfly by its coloring
to be aware of the significance of: to recognize symptoms
to acknowledge the existence, validity, authority, or genuineness of: to recognize a claim
to accept as a fact; admit; accept: to recognize defeat
to acknowledge as worthy of appreciation or approval: to recognize devotion
to acknowledge the legal standing of (a government, state, etc.) by some formal action, as by entering into diplomatic relations
to show acquaintance with (a person) by greeting
☆ to acknowledge as having the right to speak, as in a meeting

Origin: altered (infl. by recognizance) < extended stem of OFr reconoistre: see recognizance

Related Forms:

See recognize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb rec·og·nized, rec·og·niz·ing, rec·og·niz·es

To know to be something that has been perceived before: recognize a face.
To know or identify from past experience or knowledge: recognize hostility.
To perceive or show acceptance of the validity or reality of: recognizes the concerns of the tenants.
To permit to address a meeting: The club's president recognized the new member.
To accept officially the national status of as a new government.
To show awareness of; approve of or appreciate: recognize services rendered.
To admit the acquaintance of, as by salutation: recognize an old friend with a cheerful greeting.
Law To enter into a recognizance.
Biology To exhibit recognition for (an antigen or a substrate, for example).