Definition: recognize

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

recognize
     v 1: discern; "His greed knew no limits" [syn: acknowledge, recognise,
           know]
     2: be fully aware or cognizant of [syn: recognise, realize,
         realise, agnize, agnise]
     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: recognise,
         distinguish, discern, pick out, make out, tell
        apart]
     4: perceive to be the same [syn: recognise]
     5: grant credentials to; as of educational institutions [syn: accredit,
         recognise]
     6: express greetings upon meeting someone [syn: greet, recognise]
     7: express obligation for [syn: acknowledge, recognise]
     8: show approval or appreciation of; "My work is not recognized
        by anybody!"; "The best student was recognized by the
        Dean" [syn: recognise]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

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.
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.