cog·ni·zance: [kog-nuh-zuhns, kon-uh-]

– noun

1. awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception: The guests took cognizance of the snide remark.

2. Law.
a. judicial notice as taken by a court in dealing with a cause.
b. the right of taking jurisdiction, as possessed by a court.
c. acknowledgment; admission, as a plea admitting the fact alleged in the declaration.

3. the range or scope of knowledge, observation, etc.: Such understanding is beyond his cognizance.

4. Heraldry. a device by which a person or a person's servants or property can be recognized; badge.


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[Origin: 1250–1300; ME conisa(u)nce < MF con(o)is(s)ance, equiv. to conois(tre) to know (< L cognōscere; see cognition) + -ance -ance; forms with -g- (< L) from the 16th century]


—Synonyms

1. note, heed, attention, regard, scrutiny.


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.