Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cognizance \Cog"ni*zance\ (? or ?; 277), n. [OF. conissance,
   conoissance, F. connaissance, LL. cognoscentia, fr. L.
   cognoscere to know. See {Cognition}, and cf. {Cognoscence},
   {Connoisseur}.]
   1. Apprehension by the understanding; perception;
      observation.

            Within the cognizance and lying under the control of
            their divine Governor.                --Bp. Hurd

   2. Recollection; recognition.

            Who, soon as on that knight his eye did glance,
            Eftsoones of him had perfect cognizance. --Spenser.

   3. (Law)
      (a) Jurisdiction, or the power given by law to hear and
          decide controversies.
      (b) The hearing a matter judicially.
      (c) An acknowledgment of a fine of lands and tenements or
          confession of a thing done. [Eng.]
      (d) A form of defense in the action of replevin, by which
          the defendant insists that the goods were lawfully
          taken, as a distress, by defendant, acting as servant
          for another. [Eng.] --Cowell. Mozley & W.

   4. The distinguishing mark worn by an armed knight, usually
      upon the helmet, and by his retainers and followers:
      Hence, in general, a badge worn by a retainer or
      dependent, to indicate the person or party to which he
      belonged; a token by which a thing may be known.

            Wearing the liveries and cognizance of their master.
                                                  --Prescott.

            This pale and angry rose, As cognizance of my
            blood-drinking hate.                  --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

cognizance
     n 1: having knowledge of; "he had no awareness of his mistakes";
          "his sudden consciousness of the problem he faced";
          "their intelligence and general knowingness was
          impressive" [syn: {awareness}, {consciousness}, {cognisance},
           {knowingness}]
     2: range of what one can know or understand; "beyond my ken"
        [syn: {ken}]
     3: range or scope of what is perceived