cognizance

• having knowledge of
• range of what one can know or understand
• range or scope of what is perceived
• Apprehension by the understanding
• Recollection
• Jurisdiction, or the power given by law to hear and decide controversies
• The hearing a matter judicially
• An acknowledgment of a fine of lands and tenements or confession of a thing done
• 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
• 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

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