Which of the following best defines cognizance?

Cognizance refers to an awareness or knowledge of something. It encompasses the state of being conscious of certain facts, circumstances, or concepts. This definition aligns perfectly with the choice indicating the state or act of having knowledge of. In various contexts, being in a state of cognizance means having an informed understanding or awareness, which is essential for making decisions, processing information, and engaging in discussions.

The other choices do not capture the full essence of the term. Being unaware of surroundings contradicts the very nature of cognizance, as it implies a lack of knowledge. A movement towards greater understanding is a broader concept that can encompass many avenues of learning but does not specifically speak to the state of knowledge itself. Lastly, recognizing emotions in others relates more to emotional intelligence than to the general idea of cognizance regarding knowledge. Thus, the best definition of cognizance is indeed the state or act of having knowledge of.