v. arch.; also 6–7 agnise, 7 adnize. [formed after L. a(d)gnōsc-ĕre to acknowledge, recognize, apprehend (f. ad to + gnōscĕre to get to know), on the analogy of cognize and cognōscĕre, recognize and recognōscĕre, derived through Fr., while agnize had no Fr. antecedent.]
1. To recognize, remember. arch.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., VI. xiv. 91. The Britaines wil agnize their owne cause, the Gaules will remember their wonted liberty.
1790. Cowper, Odyssey, XIII. 226. That ere yet agnized By others, he might wisdom learn from her.
1814. Cary, Dante’s Inf., XV. 22. I was agnized of one, who by the skirt Caught me.
† 2. To recognize or acknowledge in any capacity; to own. Const. for, as, inf., sb. in appos. Obs.
1535. Legh, in Strype, Eccl. Mem. (1822), I. II. 216. They should be driven by this means to agnize their author, spring, and fountain.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apophth. (1877), 271. To agnise and knowledge Julius Cæsar for his conquerour.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., 46. Let him agnise the things that I write to be the commandements of the Lord.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., App. 18. They had submitted to the Pope of Rome, and agnized him their Head.
1737. Waterland, Eucharist, 496. Offered up to God, for the agnizing Him as Creator of the World.
† 3. To own the authority or claims of. Obs.
1581. Savile, Tacitus, Hist., 7. Not accustomed to obey any lawe, to agnize any magistrate.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., To Rdr. To agnise or admit the ancient and approued maner of the primitive church.
1659. Ludlow, Mem. (1771), 264. It was desired, That since it … would be most safe for the protector [Richard Cromwell] to derive his authority from a right source, the words in the declaration of ‘recognizing’ him might be altered for ‘agnizing’ him; that so his right might appear to be founded upon the consent of the people represented in this assembly.
1748. T. Edwards, Canons Crit., 291 (R.). Such He will crown with praise, And glad agnize before his Father’s throne.
4. To recognize the existence of, to acknowledge, confess. arch.
1543. Becon, Policy of War, Wks. 1843, 245. Unthankful is hc, that doth not agnise and knowledge the unmeasurable kindness of this most excellent prince.
1576. Woolton, Chr. Manual (1851), 12. Happy is that man … that humbly and heartily agniseth his faults.
1604. Shaks., Oth., I. iii. 232. I do agnize A Naturall and prompt Alacartie, I finde in hardnesse.
1648. D. Jenkins, Wks., 23. We doe upon the knees of our heart adnize constant Faith, Loyalty, and Obedience to the King.
1823. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. ii. (1865), 11. Well, I do agnize something of the sort.
1855. Bailey, Mystic, 56. None but they Who extasie divine enjoy, agnize The universal impulse.
b. absol.
1602. Warner, Albion’s Eng., XI. lxiii. (1612), 275. Loue is a Lordly Feast: Agnize (so should you) so, and so despayre is part releast.
† 5. To gain knowledge of, learn. Obs. rare.
c. 1575. Cambyses, in Hazl., Dodsl., IV. 173. The tenor of your princely will From you for to agnise.
