cognition 
(6) The formation of a concept, judgment, or argument, "r 
that which is formed; the acquisition of knowledge by 
thinking, or the knowledge itself. 
The theory of cnw .'(I'D/I, on which this ultimate eoncep 
lion rests, and from which it in developed, may he regard- 
ed cither as an analysis of experience or a^ the nl, a of sell- 
consciousness. Adammn, I'hilos. of Kant, p. 148. 
() A mental representation (the act or the product) which, 
by the operation of sensory perception nr thought, i 
to corres|ind to an external object, thniujb not, it may 
l>e, accurately. The word m //f/"i was the ordinary scho- 
lastic term in this sense, r.-vn/'/i'it was occasionally used 
by llobbes. c'lidw oMh, and other writers whose vocabulary 
was strongly influenced by the Latin, but Is rarely met 
with in later lln-h-h before II. million. 
All cognition* even the most abstract are primarily 
feelings. (J. //. Lewen, Probs. of Life and Mind, II. ill. jsu. 
3. In olil Smlx Imr, a process in the Court of 
Session by which cases concerning disputed 
marches were determined. 4f. Same as / 
ni;a nw, '_'. 
The bishop^ were ecclesiastical judges over the pi ib] 
ters, the inferior clergy, and the laity. . . . There was in- 
herent ill them aiKjweriif I-'"/'"''''"'' <if causes, and i m ivi.m 
ol persons. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1836), II. 208. 
Abstractive <>r speculative cognition. See abttrac- 
tioe. Actual cognition, adequate cognition. Seethe 
adjectives. Analytical cognition, the logical dissec- 
tion of a notion. -Cognition and sale, in Scotland, a 
process before the Court of Session, at the instance of a 
pupil and his tutors, for obtaining a warrant to sell the 
whole or a part of the pupil's estate. Cognition and 
sasine, in Scotland, a form of entering an heir in bur- 
gage property. -Condition of cognition, sn- ,-,,n,/i- 
tiim. -Empirical cognition, an act of learning from 
experience, or the knowledge so obtained. -Enigmati- 
cal cognition, abstractive cognition, especially of God: 
so called in allusion to 1 Cor. xlli. 12, ''Now we see in 
a mirror, darkly "; in the Vulgate, " Videmus mine per 
speculum in tonigniate." Essential cognitlont, God's 
knowledge as belonging to him essentially. Form of 
cognition. See .fnrm. -Habitual cognition. See /m 
bitual knowledge, under lenoaUdye. Historical cogni- 
tion, knowledge of facts. Immaterial cognition, an 
act of acquiring knowledge without the aid of the Ixxlily 
organs, whether of the peripheral senses or of the brain. 
Infused cognition,' tie direct communication of know- 
ledge from on high. -Intellective cognition, knowledge 
from reason and not from sense. Intellectual cogni- 
tion, (o) Knowledge by the understanding, (b) Cogni- 
tion by direct insight, and not by ratiocination. Intui- 
tive cognition, (a) Knowl edge by immediate experience. 
(6) Present perception of an object, with consciousness of 
it as an object. Material cognition, an act of learning 
by means of the bodily organs, that is, the senses or the 
bi-ain. Matter of cognition. See matter. Matutinal 
cognitlont, the cognition of things in the Divine Word : 
so called because the angels were said to have this kind 
of knowledge in the morning. Medium of cognition. 
See medium. Meritorious cognition, knowledge at- 
tained by the practice of virtue. Mixed cognition, a 
cognition partly a priori, partly a posteriori. Natural 
cognition, cognition by means of the senses and reason, 
without miraculous assistance. Nocturnal cognitlont. 
that knowledge of God which belongs to the devils and 
which does not partake of the divine light. Particular 
cognition. See particular. Philosophical cognition. 
See philosophical. Practical cognition, (a) Knowledge 
of what ought to he that is, of what is demanded by the 
moral law : opposed to theoretical cognition, or knowledge 
of what is. (b) Knowledge more or less readily capable of 
practical application ; opposed to speculative or metaphysi- 
cal cognition, which is either incapable or not readily capa- 
ble of such application. Proper cognitlont, the cogni- 
tion of an object In its peculiar essence. Pure cognition, 
in the philosophy of Kant, cognition of an object so far as it 
is determined by the laws of the faculty of representation. 
Rational cognition, cognition a priori, from reason. 
Sensitive cognition, knowledge by the senses. Sin- 
gular cognition. See singular. Symbolical cogni- 
tion. See tymlmlifal Imowtiaft, under knowledge. Syn- 
thetical cognition, cognition by a synthesis of notions, 
not a mere analysis of them. Theoretical cognition. 
See theoretical tnomledge, under ktwwledye. Theory Of 
cognition, a mixed psychological and logical account of 
how the mind is able to attain to knowledge, showing 
what kinds of troth and certainty are possible and what 
kinds are impossible. Universal cognition, cognition 
of an object as one of a class. 
cognitionibus admittendis (kog-nish-i-on'i- 
bus ad-mi-ten'dis). [L., for or of making 
acknowledgment : cognitionibus, abl. pi. of cog- 
nitio(n-), acknowledgment ; admittendis, abl. pi. 
of adinittendus, ger. of admittere, admit: see 
cognition and admit.] In old Eng. law, a writ, 
named from its characteristic phrase, requir- 
ing a magistrate to certify to the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas fines that he had taken and neglect- 
ed to report. 
cognitive (kog'ni-tiv), a. [< L. cognitus (see 
cognition) + -joe; =F. cognitif.'] 1. Capable of 
cognition; learning; knowing. 
Cognitive power, or conceptive, the power of knowing 
or conceiving. Hoboes, Human Nat., i. 
2. Pertaining to cognition: as, the cognitive 
faculties. 
Thinking (employing that term as comprehending all 
our cognitive energies) is of two kinds. 
Sir W. Hamilton, Discussions, p. 678. 
1091 
The qtieitlnn of the I'runuiu I 
i "I i i-d in the doctrine of .Nominalism. 
... is n-it in 
CO 
cognitum (kog'ni-tum), n. ; pi. cognita (-ta). 
[L., neut. of cognitus: see cognition.'] An ob- 
ject of cognition. prlmum cognitum, the flrst 
thing or kind of thing known in the order of learning. 
Hir II'. lliiiiiitti.il, Metaph., xxxvl. 
ognizability (kog'ni- or kon'i-za-bil'i-ti), /'. 
[<T mi/iiiziible : see -bility.] The quality of be- 
ing cognizable. Also spelled coijnixnhility. 
cognizable tkog'ni- or kou'i-za^bl), a. [For- 
merly ul-n riiiiHiixable, conusable ; < OP. co- 
i/iiitixiil/lf, a sophisticated form of *ri>ni>ixalili'. 
ihlr, F. connaissable, < OF. conoistn .1 
; < I,, mi/niaeere, know: see roijuilinii, 
and cf. mi/ni-rtH<-f.] 1. Capable of being cog- 
ni/.i'd, known, perceived, or apprehended: as, 
the causes of many phenomena are not cogniza- 
ble by the senses. 
No articulate sound Is nyniznMr until the Inarticulate 
sounds which KO to make it up have been learned. 
//. - ation, p. 130. 
2. Capable of being subjected to judicial ex- 
amination in a court ; within the scope of the 
jurisdiction ; capable of being, or liable to be, 
heard, tried, and determined. 
I last winter erected a court of justice for the correct- 
ing of several enormities in dress and behaviour, which 
are not cognizable in any other courts of this realm. 
Adduon, Institution of the i ami 
The canonist* affirm that a suit may be brought in the 
ecclesiastical court for every matter which is not cogni- 
xaUe In the courts of secular law, and for a great many 
matters which are so cognisable. 
Stubbi, Medieval and Modem Hist, p. 316. 
Also spelled cognisable. 
cognizably (kog'ni- or kon'i-za-bli), adv. In a 
cognizable manner. Also spelled cognisably. 
cognizance (kog'ni- or koii i-zans), n. [For- 
merly also connusance, conusance; < ME. cog- 
nisaunce, conoissance, conisance, conysshaunce,' 
konichaitns, etc., < OF. cognoisance, connoissance, 
conoisanee, cunoisance, etc. (mod. F. eonnaiy- 
sance). < conoissant, ppr. of conoistre, conostre. 
etc., < L. eognoscere, know: see cognition, and 
cf. cognizable, connoisseur.] 1. Knowledge or 
notice; perception; observation: now chiefly 
in the phrase take cognizance. 
Lady, of my name ye haue conysance. 
Bom. of Partenay (E. E. T. S.), 1. 404. 
In China, the Emperor himself take* cognizance of all 
the doctors in the kingdom who profess authorship. 
Gotdtmith, Citizen of the World, xxlx. 
It ia the simple truth that I did take coynizance of 
strange sighU and singular people. 
O. W. ttolmet, Old Vol. of Life, p. 18.. 
2. In law : (a) The exercise of jurisdiction ; a 
taking of authoritative notice, as of a cause. 
The Court of King's Bench has original jurisdiction ami 
cognizance of all actions of trespass vi et ,-u mis. 
Blackttmu: 
The senate [of Lucerne] has coynizance of all criminal 
causes. J. Adams, Works, IV. 338. 
(b) Acknowledgment; admission, as a plea 
admitting the fact alleged in the declaration ; 
a fine sur conusance de droit. (c) A plea in re- 
plevin, that defendant holds the goods in the 
right of another as his bailiff or servant. See 
avowry. 3. (a) Any badge borne to facilitate 
recognition. Before the introduction of systematic 
heraldry, nobles and leaders adopted simple bearings to 
be depicted upon a pennon or a shield, and the earliest 
heraldry was little more than the classification of these. 
Later, since no parts of the arms proper could be borne 
but hy those who had a legal right to them, with the ex- 
ception of heralds and pursuivants, some emblem was 
adopted as a cognizance which could be worn by all the 
retainers of a noble house. See badgel. 
gif i encountre with this knijt that this kare worcheth, 
How schal i him knowe what Iconiehauni here he here? 
William of Palerne (E. E. T. 8.), 1. 369. 
It is the proper cognizance of Mahometanism, by fire 
and sword to maintain their cause. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), II. 105. 
(b) In her., the armorial snrcoat, or the crest, 
when worn, as being the only means by which 
a man in complete armor could be recognized. 
May the Winged Horse, your ancient badge and cogni- 
sance, still nourish ! Lamb, Old Benchers. 
Also spelled cognisance. 
Claiming conusance, in law, assertion of the right of 
exclusive jurisdiction. 
cognizant (kog'ni- or kon'i-zant), a. [Formerly 
also connmant, conusant; nit. < OF. conoissant, 
ppr. : see cognizance.] 1. Having cognizance 
or knowledge : with of. 
Now the memory has so far regained its dominion, that, 
in some measure, I am cognizant of my state. 
Poe, Tales, I. 336. 
The very moment there are phenomena of any kind 
within our consciousness, that moment the mind becomes 
cognisant of its own existence. J. D. MoreU. 
2. In law, competent to take legal or judicial 
notice, as of a cause or a crime. 
Also spelled cognisant. 
cognize (kog'niz), r. t. ; pret. and pp. cognized, 
ppr. cognizing. [< L. eognoscere, know, with ac- 
cognoscente 
com. term. -i:r (n- if trum riii/in~iiiiri; ri>//iii~n- 
lilf, regarded as i-ni/m .1 + -./<<. -ulili ). < : f. rec- 
in//// . . :iml -i-i- i - 
i-tr. ] To make an object of eogiiit ion or thought; 
Inn-live; become conscious of; know. Also 
S|ii-lll-.| 0001 
It would also be convenient. . . tor piyebologlcd pn- 
* l-iiin and ' niplia-l-, I-- '(- rb- 
Uoo with It* noon cognition. . . . Bat In tut kutani 
necenlty Is not strong enough to warrant cur doing what 
custom tuu not done. >'" " ll<tt,n!in,i M. taph., xxi. 
Consciously In know a thing, that IB, \ucognite It. Ani- 
mals know object*, but du n.-t CIMWUC them. 
', bigieltr. by Abbott). 
cognizee (kog-ni- or kon-i-ze'), n, [< eoyni 
+ -'.) In "lil 1'nr, one in whose 
favor a fine of land was levied. Also spelled 
cognizor (kog'ni- or kon'i-z6r), n. [Formerly 
also connu.tm . <</,/ .vr; < r,,,/,,/^- in <-i>gni3-ancc 
. . </ . ,- <- 
+ -or.] In tilit luir, the party who levied a fine 
of land. Also spelled cognisor. 
cognomen (kog-no'men), n. [< L. cognomen, < 
co-, together, + 'gnomen, old form of nomen = 
E. nanu; q. v. Cf. agnomen, prmomen, noun, 
pronoun, renovn.] 1. A surname; a distin- 
guishing name ; specifically, the lust of the three 
names by which a Roman of good family was 
known, indicating the house to which he be- 
longed. See name. 
A surname, a cognomen, is an addition to the personal 
name, which Is given in order to distinguish Its bearers 
from others of the same name. 
E. A. Freeman, Hist. Norman Conquest, V. S77. ' 
2. Loosely, a name, whether a given name, sur- 
name, or distinguishing epithet. [Colloq.] 
I repeated the name (Prlscilta) to myself three or four 
times : . . . this quaint and prim coifnotnen . . . amal- 
gamated Itself with my Idea of the girl. 
uaicthorne, Hlithedale Romance, Iv. 
cognominal 1 (kog-nom'i-nal), a. and n. [< L. 
cognominis, adj., having the same name (< co-, 
together, + *gnomen, nomen: see cognomen), + 
-"'.] I. a. Having the same name. 
II. n. One who bears the same name ; a name- 
sake. 
Nor the dogfish at sea much more make out the dog of 
the laud, than his cognominal or namesake In the heavens. 
Sir T. Broicnc. Vulg. Err. 
cognominal 2 (kog-nom'i-nal), a. [< cognomen 
(-!-)+ -al. Ct.cognominan.] Pertaining to 
a cognomen or surname. Bp. Pearson. 
COgnominantt (kog-nom'i-nant), a. [< L. cog- 
nviinan(t-)x, ppr. of cognontinare : see eognomi- 
imii .} Having one and the same name. 
cognominate (kog-nom'i-nat), r. t. ; pret. and 
pp. cognominated, ppr. cognominating [< L. 
cognominatus, pp. of cognominare, furnish with 
a surname, < cognomen, a surname: see cogno- 
men.] To give a cognomen or surname to; 
nickname. 
Under this eminent man, whom in Oreek I coyiunninated 
Cyclops diphrelates (Cyclops the charioteer). 
De Quinccy, Eng. Mail Coach. 
cognominate (kog-nom'i-nat), a. [< L. cogno- 
minatus, pp. : see the verb.] Being or used as 
a cognomen or surname ; surnamed, or having 
a cognomen. 
COgnomination (kog-nom-i-na'shon), n. [< L. 
cognominatio(n-), < cognominare: see cognomi- 
natf.] A surname; a name given by way of 
distinction: as, Alexander the Great. 
Therefore Christ gave him the cogtunnination of Cephas. 
Jer. Taylor, Liberty of Prophesying, i 7. 
COgnomine (kog-nom'i-ne), adr. [L., abl. of 
cognomen, cognomen.] By cognomen. 
cognosce (kog-nos'), e. ; pret. and pp. cognosced, 
ppr. cognoscing. [< L. eognoscere, become ac- 
quainted with, know: see cognition, and cf. 
cognize.] I. trans. In Scots law, to inquire in- 
to or investigate, often in order to giving judg- 
ment in a cause. 
II. intrans. To adjudicate ; pronounce judg- 
ment. [Scotch.] 
Doth it belong to us ... to cognosce upon his {the 
king's] actions, or limit his pleasure? 
Drummond, Speech, May 2, 1639. 
cognoscencet (kog-nos'ens), n. [< NL. cogno- 
scentia,<. L. cognoscen(t-)s, ppr. of eognoscere, 
know: see cognition.] Knowledge; the act or 
state of knowing. Dr. H. More. 
cognoscente, conoscente (It. pron. ko-nyo-, ko- 
no-shen'te), n. ; pi. cognoscenti, conoscenti (-ti). 
[It., prop, conoscente, prop. ppr. of conoscere, 
< L. eognoscere, know: see cognition.] A con- 
noisseur : most used in the plural. 
Ask a person of the most refined musical taste, an abso- 
lute cognoscente, if you please. 
W. Maton, Eng. Church Mustek, p. 77. 
