Obs. Also 4 conisante, 6 conysantte, cognoisant. [app. sb. use of OF. conoisant, conis(s)ant pr. pple. of conoistre to know, recognize (see above); but the pl. may have originated in a perversion of cognizance: cf. accidents, accidence.] = COGNIZANCE 5.
c. 1394. P. Pl. Crede, 185. Knyghtes in her conisantes clad for þe nones.
1556. Chron. Gr. Friars (1852), 36. With their conysanttes poyntyd and gylte.
1570. Levins, Manip., 25/26. A cognizant, insigne, signum.
¶ Here = COGNIZANCE 2.
1634. Raynold’s Byrth Mankynde, Prol. 3. Except yee first haue true and iust cognoisant in the first Booke.
