recognissance

Recognissance is an alternative spelling of reconnaissance, the military activity of gathering information about enemy forces, terrain, and other operational factors to support planning and decision making. It is typically conducted to reduce uncertainty before an operation and may be carried out by infantry patrols, cavalry units, airborne reconnaissance teams, or modern sensors such as unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites. The term is chiefly historical or regional; contemporary usage generally favors reconnaissance.

The word derives from the French reconnaissance, itself from reconnoître meaning “to recognize.” The spelling recognize variants have appeared in English over time, and recognitives of the term can be found in older or regional texts. In modern dictionaries, reconnaissance is the standard form, with recognissance noted as an archaic or less common variant.

Purpose and methods: recognitions aim to identify enemy dispositions, routes, fortifications, and terrain features; assess weather, visibility, and obstacles; verify friendly positions; and locate targets or opportunities for exploitation. Methods include ground patrols and scouting parties, aerial observation or photography, reconnaissance drones, and the use of satellite imagery or signals intelligence to augment human reporting.

Related concepts: In military practice, reconnaissance can be conducted as a routine obligation or as a reconnaissance in force, where a larger probe is sent to provoke a reaction and obtain information about enemy strength. In modern operations, reconnaissance is often integrated with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems to provide comprehensive situational awareness.

See also: reconnaissance; scouting; reconnaissance in force.