a. and sb. Also 6 conn-. [a. OF. conusant, conis(s)ant, conois(s)ant knowing, pr. pple. of conuistre, conoistre now connaître:—L. cognōscĕre to know.]
A. adj. An early form of COGNIZANT, chiefly legal: Having cognizance or knowledge.
1651. N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., II. vi. 48. By common intendment he is more connusant of things, then Countrey people.
1678. Hale, Hist. Placit. Cor. (1736), I. 578. It is not reasonable to suppose the officer should be conusant of the formalities of the law.
1792. Chipman, Amer. Law Rep. (1871), 36. Plaintiff is conusant of his own title.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 220. Where the party … was not conusant of the treaty.
B. sb. = CONUSOR.
1741. T. Robinson, Gavelkind, v. 84. Judgment for the Conusant. Indeed the Reporter properly doubts whether the Conusance being for Part of the Rent only was good.
