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.
Cog"ni*zant (? or ?), a. [See Cognizance, and cf. Connusant.] Having cognizance or knowledge. (of).
Cog"nize (?), v. t. [Cf. Cognizant, Recognize.] To know or perceive; to recognize.
The reasoning faculty can deal with no facts until they are cognized by it.
H. Spencer.
Cog`ni*zee" (? or ?), n. (Law) One to whom a fine of land was acknowledged. Blackstone.
Cog`ni*zor (?), n. [See Cognizance.] (Law) One who acknowledged the right of the plaintiff or cognizee in a fine; the defendant. Blackstone.
Cog*no"men (?), n. [L.: co- + (g)nomen name.] 1. The last of the three names of a person among the ancient Romans, denoting his house or family.