cognizance

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
cognizance /ˈkɒɡnɪzəns/ (or cognisance /ˈkɒ(g)nɪz(ə)ns/)

▶noun

• 1 formal knowledge or awareness.

  ■ Law the action of taking judicial notice.

• 2 Heraldry a distinctive device or mark, especially as formerly worn by retainers of a noble house.

– phrases
take cognizance of formal attend to; take account of.

– derivatives
cognizant adjective,
cognize (or cognise) verb.

– origin ME conisance, from OFr. conoisance, based on L. cognoscere ‘get to know’.