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recognize
7 dictionary results for: recognize
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
rec·og·nize       [rek-uhg-nahyz] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), -nized, -niz·ing.
1.to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc.: He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him.
2.to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics: I recognized him from the description. They recognized him as a fraud.
3.to perceive as existing or true; realize: to be the first to recognize a fact.
4.to acknowledge as the person entitled to speak at a particular time: The Speaker recognized the Congressman from Maine.
5.to acknowledge formally as entitled to treatment as a political unit: The United States promptly recognized Israel.
6.to acknowledge or accept formally a specified factual or legal situation: to recognize a successful revolutionary regime as the de facto government of the country.
7.to acknowledge or treat as valid: to recognize a claim.
8.to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by a greeting, handshake, etc.
9.to show appreciation of (achievement, service, merit, etc.), as by some reward, public honor, or the like.
10.Law. to acknowledge (an illegitimate child) as one's own.
11.Biochemistry, Immunology. to bind with, cleave, or otherwise react to (another substance) as a result of fitting its molecular shape or a portion of its shape.
Also, especially British, rec·og·nise.

[Origin: 1425–75; recogn(ition) + -ize; r. late ME racunnysen, recognisen < OF reconuiss-, s. of reconuistre < L recognōscere, equiv. to re- re- + cognōscere to know1; see cognition]

—Related forms
rec·og·niz·a·ble       [rek-uhg-nahy-zuh-buhl, rek-uhg-nahy-] Pronunciation Key, adjective
rec·og·niz·a·bil·i·ty, noun
rec·og·niz·a·bly, adverb
rec·og·niz·er, noun

—Synonyms 3. acknowledge, appreciate, understand, grant, concede.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
rec·og·nize       (rěk'əg-nīz')  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   rec·og·nized, rec·og·niz·ing, rec·og·niz·es
  1. To know to be something that has been perceived before: recognize a face.
  2. To know or identify from past experience or knowledge: recognize hostility.
  3. To perceive or show acceptance of the validity or reality of: recognizes the concerns of the tenants.
  4. To permit to address a meeting: The club's president recognized the new member.
  5. To accept officially the national status of as a new government.
  6. To show awareness of; approve of or appreciate: recognize services rendered.
  7. To admit the acquaintance of, as by salutation: recognize an old friend with a cheerful greeting.
  8. Law To enter into a recognizance.
  9. Biology To exhibit recognition for (an antigen or a substrate, for example).


[Middle English recognisen, to resume possession of land, alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin recognizāre, to recognize) of Old French reconoistre, reconoiss-, to know again, from Latin recognōscere : re-, re- + cognōscere, to get to know; see gnō- in Indo-European roots.]

rec'og·niz'a·ble adj., rec'og·niz'a·bly adv., rec'og·niz'er n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
recognize 
1414, "resume possession of land," from M.Fr. reconiss-, stem of reconoistre "to know again, identify, recognize," from O.Fr., from L. recognoscere "acknowledge, recall to mind, know again, examine, certify," from re- "again" + cognoscere "know" (from co- "with" + gnoscere "become acquainted;" see notice). Meaning "perceive something or someone as already known" first recorded 1533.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
recognize

verb
1. accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority; "The Crown Prince was acknowledged as the true heir to the throne"; "We do not recognize your gods" [syn: acknowledge] 
2. be fully aware or cognizant of 
3. detect with the senses; "The fleeing convicts were picked out of the darkness by the watchful prison guards"; "I can't make out the faces in this photograph" [syn: spot] 
4. perceive to be the same 
5. grant credentials to; "The Regents officially recognized the new educational institution"; "recognize an academic degree" [syn: accredit] 
6. express greetings upon meeting someone [syn: greet] 
7. express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for; "We must acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us" [syn: acknowledge] 
8. exhibit recognition for (an antigen or a substrate) 
9. show approval or appreciation of; "My work is not recognized by anybody!"; "The best student was recognized by the Dean" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: rec·og·nize
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -nized; -niz·ing
1 : to acknowledge formally: as a : to admit as being of a particular status <recognize a precedent> <recognize a union>; specifically : to acknowledge (as a right, cause of action, or defense) as valid b : to admit as being one entitled to be heard : give the floor to c : to acknowledge the de facto existence or the independence of recognize the new government>
2 : to account for as real, received, or incurred and treat and record appropriately; specifically : to account for (a gain, loss, expense, or income) on current accounting or tax records <recognized the gain when she included it as income on her tax return> —compare REALIZE

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Recognize

Rec"og*nize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Recognized; p. pr. & vb. n. Recognizing.] [From Recognizance; see Cognition, and cf. Reconnoiter.] [Written also recognise.]

1. To know again; to perceive the identity of, with a person or thing previously known; to recover or recall knowledge of.

Speak, vassal; recognize thy sovereign queen. --Harte.

2. To avow knowledge of; to allow that one knows; to consent to admit, hold, or the like; to admit with a formal acknowledgment; as, to recognize an obligation; to recognize a consul.

3. To acknowledge acquaintance with, as by salutation, bowing, or the like.

4. To show appreciation of; as, to recognize services by a testimonial.

5. To review; to re["e]xamine. [Obs.] --South.

6. To reconnoiter. [Obs.] --R. Monro.

Syn: To acknowledge; avow; confess; own; allow; concede. See Acknowledge.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Recognize

Rec"og*nize\, v. i. (Law) To enter an obligation of record before a proper tribunal; as, A, B recognized in the sum of twenty dollars. [Written also recognise.]

Note: In legal usage in the United States the second syllable is often accented.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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