v. Chiefly Sc. Law. [ad. L. cognōsc-ĕre to become thoroughly acquainted with, investigate, get to know, f. co- together, altogether + (g)nōscĕre inchoative of obsolete *gnō- (whence (g)nō-vi, (g)nōt-um), corresp. to Gr. γνῶ-ναι to know. See NOTION, GNOSTIC, KNOW.]
1. intr. To make inquiry or investigation, esp. in order to a legal decision; to take cognizance of a cause, an offence, etc. ? Obs.
a. 1583. Sir J. Balfour, Practicks (1754), 18. The Schiref is na juge competent to cognosce or decyde upoun the nonentres or ward of landis.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 39. It perteins not to my court, to cognosce vpon bastardrie.
1640. R. Baillie, Canterb. Self-Convict., Pref. A i. So many of our neighbour nations, as have beene desirous to cognosce of our affaires.
1752. J. Louthian, Form of Process (ed. 2), 27. From all further … judging or cognoscing therein.
2. trans. To take judicial cognizance of (a matter); to investigate, examine, try.
1607. T. Rogers, 39 Art. (1621), 206, note. A matter and cause spiritual, and always cognosced and judged by the church … say certain Scottish ministers.
a. 1670. Spalding, Hist. Troubles Scotl. (1792), I. 256 (Jam.). The general resolved in person to cognosce the entry into Newcastle.
1746–7. Act 20 Geo. II., c. 43 § 34. The judge … shall … proceed to cognosce, hear, and determine any such appeal.
1884. Brit. & For. Evang. Rev., April, 263. Error cognosced and determined by the judicatories of the Church.
† 3. To adjudicate, decide authoritatively upon; to assign judicially. Obs.
1634. in Forbes of Callendar, 2 (Jam.). To cognos and designe be deuision to ilk persone thair part off the fornamit outfeald arable land…. The saids lands being cognossit, meathit, mairchit, and acceptit be the said nobili Lord.
4. Judicially to examine and pronounce (a person) to be of a certain status; esp. (ellipt.) to pronounce to be an idiot or lunatic.
a. 1670. Spalding, Hist. Troubles Scotl. (1792), II. 91 (Jam.). To meet, sit, and cognosce Mr. Andrew Logie … for unsound doctrine.
1773. Erskine, Instit., 140 (Jam.). The son ought to be declared or cognosced an idiot by the sentence of a judge.
a. 1805. A. Carlyle, Autobiog. (1860), 534. He had been cognosced at Edinburgh, and deprived of the management of his estate.
1818. G. Chalmers, Life Mary Q. Scots, I. 278 (Jam.). George Douglas’s elder brother was cognosced nearest agnate.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., v. ‘If he gangs daft, we’ll hae him cognosced.’
1868. Act 31 & 32 Vict., c. 100 § 101. To inquire whether the person sought to be cognosced is insane.
5. = COGNIZE.
1874. Carpenter, Mental Phys., II. xi. § 382. Before the Intelligence is sufficiently developed to cognosce the idea which mentally represents it.
