cognizance
/ˈkɒ(ɡ)nɪz(ə)ns
/(also cognisance)
noun
1 [mass noun] formal Knowledge or awareness: the Renaissance cognizance of Greece was limited...
- The famous statement ‘unity of empty cognizance suffused with awareness’ refers to your own nature, the essence of your mind.
- All of the lofty transcendental concepts that are in the higher worlds are meant to become a part of our experience and cognizance.
- The smokers in the room were most appreciative of her cognisance of their plight!
Synonyms
awareness, notice, knowledge, consciousness, apprehension, perception, realization, recognition, appreciation
1.1 Law The action of taking judicial notice.Most international human rights instruments subsequently adopted by the United Nations have a basis in the Universal Declaration and give further definition and cognisance to those rights....
- The law takes no cognisance of carelessness in the abstract.
- It is bound, of course, to give cognisance to the fact of the order that is being enforced.
2 Heraldry A distinctive emblem or badge formerly worn by retainers of a noble house.
Phrases
take cognizance of
Origin
Middle English conisance, from Old French conoisance, based on Latin cognoscere 'get to know'. The spelling with g, influenced by Latin, arose in the 15th century and gradually affected the pronunciation.