cognizes

Cognize is a verb meaning to perceive, understand, or become aware of something through thought or experience; to form a concept or belief about. The third-person singular present tense is cognizes. The term is most often found in philosophical, cognitive science, or scholarly writing. In everyday speech, speakers typically use recognize or understand rather than cognize.

Etymology and range of meaning: Cognize derives from Latin cognoscere “to know, learn.” It entered English in the late Middle Ages and remains common in technical discourse. The related adjective cognizable describes something that can be perceived or apprehended, while cognizance refers to awareness or knowledge. The verb cognize is sometimes contrasted with recognize, which emphasizes identifying something already known rather than the broader act of becoming aware or understanding.

Usage notes and examples: The sentence “The scientist cognizes a pattern in the data” signals an act of knowledge acquisition rather than mere recognition. In psychological or philosophical contexts, cognize can imply forming a concept or theory. In contemporary colloquial English, cognize is relatively rare and may be perceived as formal or arcane by some readers.

See also: cognizance, cognition, cognizant, cognizable, recognize.