rec·og·nize [ rékəg nz ](past and past participlerec·og·nized, present participlerec·og·niz·ing, 3rd person present singularrec·og·niz·es)
transitive verb
Definition:
1. identify somebody or something seen before: to identify a thing or person as a result of having seen or had some other experience of him, her, or it before If you saw him again, would you recognize him?
2. acknowledge somebody's achievement: to show appreciation of, or give credit to, another's achievement I hope you recognize their contribution to the success of the campaign.
3. allow somebody to speak: to allow somebody to speak to a meeting The chair recognizes the representative.
4. accept state's independence: to accept formally the independent and legal status of a country or regime refused to recognize the military government
5. reward somebody: to give or award something to a person as a token of acknowledgment or gratitude recognized his bravery with a medal
6. show acknowledgment: to show in some way that somebody is personally known She recognized old friends in the crowd with a smile and a wave.
7. accept something: to accept the validity or truth of something I recognize that I am at fault.
8. biology bind another molecule: to bind another molecule that has a complementary structure
[15th century. < Old French recon(n)iss-, stem of reconnaistre< Latin recognoscere "know again" < cognoscere "know"]
