\Cog"ni*zance\ (? or ?; 277), n. [OF. conissance,
conoissance, F. connaissance, LL. cognoscentia, fr. L.
cognoscere to know. See {Cognition}, and cf. {Cognoscence},
{Connoisseur}.]
1. Apprehension by the understanding; perception;
   observation.
         Within the cognizance and lying under the control of
         their divine Governor.                --Bp. Hurd
2. Recollection; recognition.
         Who, soon as on that knight his eye did glance,
         Eftsoones of him had perfect cognizance. --Spenser.
3. (Law)
   (a) Jurisdiction, or the power given by law to hear and
       decide controversies.
   (b) The hearing a matter judicially.
   (c) An acknowledgment of a fine of lands and tenements or
       confession of a thing done. [Eng.]
   (d) 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. [Eng.] --Cowell. Mozley & W.
4. 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; a token by which a thing may be known.
         Wearing the liveries and cognizance of their master.
                                               --Prescott.
         This pale and angry rose, As cognizance of my
         blood-drinking hate.                  --Shak.