Note: The translation for this entry is currently under quality review. Some content is temporarily displayed in English only.
recognize
This word describes the mental act of connecting a current perception to a stored memory. It carries a sense of rediscovery, where a person identifies a face or a voice by recalling a previous encounter. In official or social contexts, it shifts toward validation and legitimacy. This can range from a government granting diplomatic status to a manager praising an employee's hard work, moving the meaning from simple identification to formal acknowledgement.
Meanings
To identify someone or something from having encountered them before; to know again.
"I didn't recognize him at first because he had grown a beard."
To accept that something is true, valid, or legal.
"The government refused to recognize the new regime as the legitimate authority."
To acknowledge the existence, validity, or legality of something; to give official status to.
"The company recognizes the need for a more flexible working arrangement."