cognizance

views updated May 17 2018

cog·ni·zance / ˈkägnəzəns/ (also cog·ni·sance) • n. 1. formal knowledge, awareness, or notice. ∎  Law the action of taking jurisdiction. ∎  the action of taking judicial notice (of a fact beyond dispute).2. Heraldry a distinctive device or mark, esp. an emblem or badge formerly worn by retainers of a noble house.PHRASES: take cognizance of formal attend to; take account of.

cognizance

views updated May 11 2018

cognizance knowledge (now take c. of); device by which one is known XIV; taking legal notice, jurisdiction; acknowledgement, admission XVI. — OF. conis(s)aunce, conus(s)aunce, vars. of conois(s)ance (mod. connaissance) — Rom. *connōscentia, f. cognōscent-, prp. stem of L. cognōscere (see prec.). Latinization of the sp. has infl. the pronunc.
Hence cognizant XIX.

Cognizance

views updated Jun 08 2018

COGNIZANCE

The power, authority, and ability of a judge to determine a particular legal matter. A judge's decision to take note of or deal with a cause.

That which is cognizable to a judge is within the scope of his or her jurisdiction. A justice of the peace would not have cognizance of a major criminal matter, for example.

cognizance

views updated May 18 2018

cognizance in heraldry, a distinctive device or mark, especially an emblem or badge formerly worn by retainers of a noble house.

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