cognizance, cognoscence 1. Conscious knowledge or recognition; awareness. 2. The range of what one can know or understand. 3. Observance; notice: 'We will take cognizance of your objections at an appropriate time.' 4. In law, an acknowledgment, recognition, or jurisdiction; the assumption of jurisdiction in a case. 5. In heraldry, a crest or bad... Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/528/3