( BrE also -i·sance ) / ˈkɒgnɪzəns; NAmE ˈkɑːg-/ noun
[ U ] ( formal ) knowledge or understanding of sth
► cog·ni·zant , -i·sant adjective [ not before noun ]:
cognizant of the importance of the case
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IDIOMS
- take cognizance of sth
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English conisance , from Old French conoisance , based on Latin cognoscere get to know. The spelling with g , influenced by Latin, arose in the 15th cent. and gradually affected the pronunciation.