† conusance Obs. or arch.
(ˈkɒnjʊ-, ˈkɒnɪzəns)
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.
| 1642–1656 [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 E. 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 Instit. 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. |