Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cognizance
Cog′ni-zance
(? or ?; 277)
, Noun.
[OF.
conissance
, conoissance
, F. connaissance
, LL. cognoscentia
, fr. L. cognoscere
to know. See Cognition
, and cf. Cognoscence
, Connoisseur
.] 1.
Apprehension by the understanding; perception; observation.
Within the
cognizance
and lying under the control of their divine Governor. Bp. Hurd
2.
Recollection; recognition.
Who, soon as on that knight his eye did glance,
Eftsoones of him had perfect
Eftsoones of him had perfect
cognizance
. Spenser.
3.
(Law)
(a)
Jurisdiction, or the power given by law to hear and decide controversies.
(b)
The hearing a matter judicially.
(c)
An acknowledgment of a fine of lands and tenements or confession of a thing done.
[Eng.]
(d)
A form of defense in the action of replevin, by which the defendant insists that the goods were lawfully taken, as a distress, by defendant, acting as servant for another.
[Eng.]
Cowell. Mozley & W.
4.
The distinguishing mark worn by an armed knight, usually upon the helmet, and by his retainers and followers: Hence, in general, a badge worn by a retainer or dependent, to indicate the person or party to which he belonged; a token by which a thing may be known.
Wearing the liveries and
cognizance
of their master. Prescott.
This pale and angry rose,
As
As
cognizance
of my blood-drinking hate. Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Cognizance
COGNIZANCE
, n.1.
Judicial notice or knowledge; the hearing, trying and determining of a cause or action in court.The court of kings bench takes cognizance of civil and criminal causes.
In the United States, the district courts have cognizance of maritime causes.
2.
Jurisdiction, or right to try and determine causes.The court of kings bench has original jurisdiction and cognizance of all actions of trespass vi et armis.
3.
In law, an acknowledgment or confession; as in fines, the acknowledgment of the cognizor or deforciant, that the right to the land in question is in the plaintiff or cognizee, by gift or otherwise; in replevin, the acknowledgment of the defendant, that he took the goods, but alledging that he did it legally as the bailiff of another person who had a right to distrain.4.
A badge on the sleeve of a waterman or servant, by which he is known to belong to this or that nobleman or gentleman.5.
Knowledge or notice; perception; observation; as the cognizance of the senses.6.
Knowledge by recollection.