[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

recognize \rec"ognize\, 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.
   1913 webster

   note: in legal usage in the united states the second syllable
         is often accented.
         1913 webster
see also:
recognise 

[2] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

recognize \rec"ognize\ re^k"o^gnimacz, v. t. imp. 
   p. p. recognized re^k"o^gnimaczd; p. pr.  vb. n.
   recognizing re^k"o^gnimac`zi^ng. 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.
      1913 webster

            speak, vassal; recognize thy sovereign queen.
                                                  --harte.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   3. to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by salutation,
      bowing, or the like.
      1913 webster

   4. to show appreciation of; as, to recognize services by a
      testimonial.
      1913 webster

   5. to review; to reexamine. obs. --south.
      1913 webster

   6. to reconnoiter. obs. --r. monro.
      1913 webster

   syn: to acknowledge; avow; confess; own; allow; concede. see
        acknowledge.
        1913 webster
see also:
recognized recognizing recognizance cognition reconnoiter recognise 
acknowledge 

[3] : WordNet (r) 2.0

recognise
     v 1: show approval or appreciation of; "my work is not recognized
          by anybody"; "the best student was recognized by the
          dean" syn: recognize
     2: grant credentials to; "the regents officially recognized the
        new educational institution"; "recognize an academic
        degree" syn: accredit, recognize
     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: recognize,
         distinguish, discern, pick out, make out, tell
        apart
     4: express greetings upon meeting someone syn: greet, recognize
     5: express obligation, thanks, or gratitude for; "we must
        acknowledge the kindness she showed towards us" syn: acknowledge,
         recognize
     6: be fully aware or cognizant of syn: recognize, realize,
         realise, agnize, agnise
     7: perceive to be the same syn: recognize
     8: 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, recognize, know
see also:
recognize accredit distinguish discern pick out make out 
tell apart greet acknowledge realize realise 
agnize agnise know 

Recognise >> R Words
Recognise, definition of term: Recognise
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