recognition

Definitions

re- (again) + cogn (know) + -ition (act) = 'the act of knowing again.' When you meet something a second time and your mind matches it to the first encounter, you re-cognize it. That single idea splits two ways: recognizing a face (identification) and recognizing someone's worth (acknowledgment) — in both, you're 'knowing again' what was there before.

Why It Means This

The leap from 'knowing again' to 'public acknowledgment' is worth pausing on. When a community recognizes a scientist's work, it is collectively 'knowing again' — registering and naming what that person did. So 'in recognition of his service' means society has taken re-note of it. The identification sense (face recognition) and the honor sense (gain recognition) are the same mental act aimed at different targets.

Common Collocations

• 1.gain recognition获得认可
• 2.in recognition of以表彰……
• 3.facial recognition面部识别
• 4.international recognition国际承认
• 5.win recognition赢得认可
• 6.beyond recognition认不出来

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She finally received recognition for years of quiet, dedicated work.

• 2.

  Facial recognition software can identify a person in seconds.

• 3.

  The new state is still seeking diplomatic recognition from its neighbors.

• 4.

  The town was changing so fast it was almost beyond recognition.

Easily Confused

recognition vs acknowledgment — Both mean 'admitting something is real.' recognition often adds the sense of identifying or honoring (you recognize a face, or recognize achievement with an award). acknowledgment is plainer admission, often of facts or receipt (acknowledge a mistake, acknowledge a letter). You can recognize a stranger as a celebrity; you acknowledge that you were wrong.