Cog"ni*zance (? or ?; 277), n. [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 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 cognizance of my blood-drinking hate.
Shak.
