Cognizance

Cognizance refers to knowledge or awareness of something, encompassing both the act of cognizing and the resulting state of awareness. Etymologically, the term comes from Middle English cognisance, from Old French connaissance, and ultimately from Latin cognitio, from cognoscere meaning to know or learn.

In ordinary usage, cognizance denotes recognition, notice, or awareness of a fact or situation. It is related to cognition and to the adjective cognizant, but cognizance emphasizes awareness or acknowledgment rather than full justification or mental processing.

In legal contexts, taking cognizance of an offense means that a court has become aware of the matter and is prepared to proceed, thereby assuming jurisdiction. The term also appears in phrases such as within the cognizance of the court or cognizable offenses, reflecting a formal recognition by the judiciary.

In philosophy and psychology, cognizance refers to a mental act or state of awareness of some content, such as a perception or belief. Some writers distinguish cognizance from consciousness or knowledge, reserving cognizance for awareness that may be partial, tentative, or subject to further inquiry.

Cognizance is closely related to cognize (to know or perceive), cognition (the process of knowing), and cognizant (aware). The word remains common in British and Indian English, particularly in legal discourse, though it is used less frequently in American English.