What does "cognizance" mean?
An emblem, badge or device, used as a distinguishing mark by the body of retainers of a royal or noble house.
Cognizance
/ˈkɑɡnɪzəns/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An emblem, badge or device, used as a distinguishing mark by the body of retainers of a royal or noble house.
- Grammar: cognizance is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: awareness, acknowledgment, apperception, appreciation.
- Useful contrasts: disregard, ignorance, incognizance.
- Usage evidence: 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.
How to use "cognizance"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cognizance" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cognizance" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cognizance" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "cognizance" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "awareness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An emblem, badge or device, used as a distinguishing mark by the body of retainers of a royal or noble house. countable, uncountable
- 2 having knowledge of wordnet
- 3 Notice or awareness. countable, uncountable
"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."
- 4 range or scope of what is perceived wordnet
- 5 Jurisdiction. countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 range of what one can know or understand wordnet
Antonyms
Example
"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."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "cognizance"?
Common synonyms include: awareness, acknowledgment, apperception, appreciation, appreciativeness, attention.
How do you use "cognizance" in a sentence?
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.
How do you pronounce "cognizance"?
Pronounced /ˈkɑɡnɪzəns/.
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.