transitive verb recognized -·nized′, recognizing -·niz′·ing

1. 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
2. to know by some detail, as of appearance; identify to recognize a butterfly by its coloring
3. to be aware of the significance of to recognize symptoms
4. to acknowledge the existence, validity, authority, or genuineness of to recognize a claim
5. to accept as a fact; admit; accept to recognize defeat
6. to acknowledge as worthy of appreciation or approval to recognize devotion
7. to acknowledge the legal standing of (a government, state, etc.) by some formal action, as by entering into diplomatic relations
8. to show acquaintance with (a person) by greeting
9. ☆ to acknowledge as having the right to speak, as in a meeting

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