Now rare. Also 6 (Sc.) cognossance, 7 -oscance. [f. L. type *cognōscentia, f. cognōsc-ĕre to know (see -ENCE); perh., in Sc., originally, ad. F. cognoissance.]

1

  † 1.  Blazonry; heraldic cognizance.

2

a. 1455.  Holland, Houlate, xxxiii. Quhilk [bearing] cassyn be cognoscence quarterly was.

3

a. 1649.  Drumm. of Hawth., Hist. Jas. V., 350 (Jam.). This coffin was adorned with the arms of the kingdom, cognoscances and a crown.

4

  2.  Knowledge; = COGNIZANCE 1, 2.

5

1536.  Bellenden, Cron. Scotl. (1821), I. 73. Thou may have cognossance … that this opinioun is vane.

6

1647.  H. More, Song of Soul, Ded. 4. Nor … esteem me the lesse dutyfull, that without your cognoscence I become thus thankfull.

7

1673.  O. Walker, Education, 74. The Inclinations follow the cognoscence of the Soul.

8

1849.  Tait’s Mag., XVI. 246/1. Facts within our cognoscence.

9

  † 3.  Law. = COGNIZANCE 3. Obs. rare.

10

1611.  Speed, Theat. Gt. Brit., xxix. (1614), 57/1. This Court had Cognoscence of Causes Ecclesiasticall, as Temporall.

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