cognosce, v. Chiefly Sc. Law.
(kɒgˈnɒs)
[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 non⁓entres or ward of landis. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 39 It perteins not to my court, to cognosce vpon bastardrie. 1640 Canterb. Self-Convic. Pref., 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. Apr. 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 nobill 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. 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. |