- recognize (v.)
- early 15c., "resume possession of land," from Middle French reconiss-, stem of reconoistre "to know again, identify, recognize," from Old French, from Latin recognoscere "acknowledge, recall to mind, know again, examine, certify," from re- "again" (see re-) + cognoscere "know" (see cognizance). Meaning "perceive something or someone as already known" first recorded 1530s. Related: Recognized; recognizing.