Old Law. Forms: 6–7 conisee, 6– cognisee, 8– cognizee. [formed as correlative to COGNIZOR, on the model of words in -EE etymologically correlative to words in -OR. But the formation is not etymological.]
The party in whose favor a fine of land was levied; he to whom cognizance was made.
1531–2. Act 23 Hen. VIII., c. 6 § 1. The same reconisance dyd not in any wise touch or concerne … the cognisor ne the cognisee.
1594. West, Symbol., II. § 52. The Cognisor is he that knowledgeth the fine, the Cognisee is he to whom it is knowledged.
1613. Sir H. Finch, Law (1636), 473. Of these lands so deliuered, the conisee being ousted, shall haue an assise or redisseisin.
1767. Blackstone, Comm., II. 341. In which case the king, [etc.] is called the cognizee, ‘is cui cognoscitur’; as he that enters into the recognizance is called the cognizor, ‘is qui cognoscit.’
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), IV. 120. Whenever the cognizee appears in court and admits satisfaction, the recognizance is discharged.
