v.tr. (also -ise)
1. identify (a person or thing) as already known; know again.
2 realize or discover the nature of.
3 (foll. by that) realize or admit.
4 acknowledge the existence, validity, character, or claims of.
5 show appreciation of; reward.
6 (foll. by as, for) treat or acknowledge.
7 (of a chairperson etc.) allow (a person) to speak in a debate etc.
Derivatives:
recognizable n. recognizability n. recognizably adv. recognizer n.
Etymology: OF recon(n)iss- stem of reconnaistre f. L recognoscere recognit- (as RE-, cognoscere learn)