What does cognisable mean?
Cognisable refers to the ability to recognize or identify something as being of a particular quality or character. This term is often used in formal or legal contexts to describe evidence or information that can be recognized or identified. The word is derived from the verb 'cognize', which means to recognize or acknowledge. Cognisable is an important concept in law and justice, as it determines whether evidence is admissible in court. In British English, 'cognisable' is often used interchangeably with 'recognizable', while in US English, 'cognizable' is more commonly used. The term is also used in other fields, such as psychology and philosophy, to describe the ability to recognize or identify patterns or relationships. Overall, cognisable is a useful word for describing the ability to recognize or identify something, and it is an important concept in various fields.
adjectiveCapable of being recognized or identified as being of a particular quality or character.
- Capable of being recognized or identified as being of a particular quality or character.
"The judge found the evidence cognisable and ordered a full investigation."
"The police found the suspect's description cognisable and were able to identify him from a security camera."
"The judge found the evidence cognisable and ordered a full investigation."
The plural form 'cognisables' is used to describe multiple instances of something that can be recognized or identified.
"The police found several suspects who were cognisables from the security camera footage."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cognisable
The word 'cognisable' is derived from the verb 'cognize', which comes from the Latin 'cognoscere', meaning 'to know' or 'to recognize'. The term 'cognisable' emerged in the 17th century in British English, initially used in legal contexts to describe evidence that could be recognized or identified. Over time, the term has been adopted in other fields, such as psychology and philosophy, to describe the ability to recognize or identify patterns or relationships.
How cognisable is actually used
In British English, 'cognisable' is often used in formal or legal contexts to describe something that can be recognized or identified. In US English, 'cognizable' is more commonly used.