cognizance
/ˈkɒɡnɪzəns/
Etymology
From Middle English conysaunce, from Old French conysance (“recognition," later, "knowledge”), from Old French conoissance (“acquaintance, recognition; knowledge, wisdom”), from conoistre (“to know”), from Latin cognōscō (“know”), from con- (“with”) + gnōscō (“know”). By surface analysis, cogniz(e) (a back-formation) + -ance.
cognizance means an emblem, badge or device, used as a distinguishing mark by the body of retainers of a royal or noble house. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 73 out of 100.
cognizance is pronounced /ˈkɒɡnɪzəns/.
Why “cognizance” is a great word
COGNIZANCE — [Noun] The state of being aware or taking formal notice; also, a distinctive heraldic badge worn by a retainer to denote allegiance. From Middle English conysaunce, from Old French conoissance ("knowledge, recognition"), from conoistre ("to know"), from Latin cognōscō ("to know, learn"), from con- ("with") + gnōscō ("to know"). Unlike "knowledge," which implies an accumulated store, or "insignia," which broadly denotes rank, cognizance is the sharp, focused state of awareness or a device of specific feudal belonging. It is the cold, judicial acknowledgment of a damning fact; the discreet, embroidered knot on a servant's cloak; the quiet, internal click of understanding a hidden transgression—the heraldry of consciousness itself, binding one to a fact or a fate.
noun
- An emblem, badge or device, used as a distinguishing mark by the body of retainers of a royal or noble house.
- Notice or awareness.“Poor Lady Rotheles was really so imprudent on the late occasion of her niece's elopement as to go into a passion, and to utter such a tirade against her, her lord was roused from his habitual, but not natural listlessness, and became, in consequence, master of sentiments and secrets hitherto most commendably concealed from his cognizance.”
- Jurisdiction.