Obs. or arch. Also 6 connu-. [a. OF. conus(s)ance, also conois(s)ance, conis(s)ance, mod.F. connaissance knowledge: see COGNIZANCE.] An early form of COGNIZANCE, retained to recent times in legal use.
1. gen. = COGNIZANCE 2: Knowledge, information.
1642–56. [see COGNIZANCE 2].
2. Law. = COGNIZANCE 3.
1523. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 38. The Chancelor … shall have connusance of plees.
1641. Termes de la Ley, 84. Conusance of plee is a priviledge that a Citie or Towne hath of the K[ing’s] grant, to hold plee of all contracts, and of lands within the Precinct of the franchise.
1653. Chisenhale, Cath. Hist., 265. It being a thing not properly lying within his conusance … or capacity to grant.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 21. The taking conusance of blasphemy.
1705. Col. Rec. Pennsylv., II. 202. That may properly fall under your Conusance.
3. = COGNIZANCE 4: Recognition or acknowledgement, esp. of a FINE of lands.
(Fines were abolished by Acts 3 & 4 Will. IV., c. 74.
1570–6, 1602. [see COGNIZANCE 4].
4. = COGNIZANCE 5: Device, heraldic emblem; badge, mark.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., IV. 100. As soldiars beare the conusance of their capitaine.
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 412. The house of Lancaster … [had] a red Rose for their badge or conusance.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xli. (1887), 243. Where discretion the daughter of time is his fairest conusance.
