cognizance: Meaning and Definition of

cog•ni•zance

Pronunciation: (kog'nu-zuns, kon'u-), [key]
— n.
  1. awareness, realization, or knowledge; notice; perception: The guests took cognizance of the snide remark.
    1. judicial notice as taken by a court in dealing with a cause.
    2. the right of taking jurisdiction, as possessed by a court.
    3. acknowledgment; admission, as a plea admitting the fact alleged in the declaration.
  2. the range or scope of knowledge, observation, etc.: Such understanding is beyond his cognizance.
  3. a device by which a person or a person's servants or property can be recognized; badge.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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