- Today's Word
Cognizant
[ kog-nuh-zuhnt ]
Definition
“Cognizant” is an adjective that means being aware of or having knowledge about something. It describes a state of being informed or conscious of a particular fact, situation, or issue.
Example
She was cognizant of the potential risks involved in the project. In this sentence, “cognizant” is used to indicate that she was fully aware of the possible dangers associated with the project.
Fun Fact
The word “Cognizant” has an interesting etymology. It is derived from the Latin word “cognoscere,” which means “to get to know” or “to become aware of.” The word has evolved over time to its current usage in English.
(adjective) Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline; stubbornly resistant to control
The recalcitrant student refused to put away his phone despite three separate warnings from the teacher.
Recalcitrant comes from the Latin recalcitrare — from re- (“back”) + calcitrare (“to kick”) — itself derived from calx (“heel”). The original image is vividly literal: a horse or mule kicking back against its rider or handler. It entered English in the 19th century, retaining that core sense of stubborn, physical resistance before broadening to describe any obstinate defiance of authority.