Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
COGNOSCE, v. (The second c is sometimes omitted in the pa.p., which then becomes cognost.) Now rare. [kɔg′nɔs]
1. To investigate in judicial capacity, to take cognizance of. Sometimes with upon.Sc. 1720 Records Conv. Burghs (1885) 261:
If the convention of the royal burrows . . . had power to cognosce the affair.Slg. 1711 J. Ronald in Trans. Slg. Nat. Hist. and Arch. Soc. (1895) 23:
Thomas Gillespy, Baillie, and Henry Dawson, weaver, were appointed to sight and survey all sarges made or to be made within this burgh and shyre, . . . and to cognosce upon the sufficiency, breadth and length theirof.Lnk. 1709 Mins. J.P.s Lnk. (S.H.S. 1931) 66:
This proces being yet depending before the Shirref Court, ought not to be cognosced by the Justices of the Peace.
2. To pronounce a person insane, after legal investigation. An ellipt. use.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian vi.:
If he gangs daft, we'll hae him cognoseed.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail I. xxxv.:
Put on thy mournings, or I'll hae thee cognost, and sent to bedlam.
