to identify as something or someone previously seen, known, etc.

He had changed so much that one could scarcely recognize him.

to identify from knowledge of appearance or characteristics

I recognized him from the description. They recognized him as a fraud.

to perceive as existing or true; realize

to be the first to recognize a fact.

to acknowledge as the person entitled to speak at a particular time

The Speaker recognized the Congressman from Maine.

to acknowledge formally as entitled to treatment as a political unit

The United States promptly recognized Israel.

to acknowledge or accept formally a specified factual or legal situation

to recognize a successful revolutionary regime as the de facto government of the country.

to acknowledge or treat as valid

to recognize a claim.

to acknowledge acquaintance with, as by a greeting, handshake, etc.

to show appreciation of (achievement, service, merit, etc.), as by some reward, public honor, or the like.

Law . to acknowledge (an illegitimate child) as one's own.

Biochemistry, Immunology . to bind with, cleave, or otherwise react to (another substance) as a result of fitting its molecular shape or a portion of its shape.

verb

miss , disapprove , misunderstand

verb

admit , be familiar , button down , descry , determinate , diagnose , diagnosticate , distinguish , espy , finger * , flash on , know , know again , make * , make out , nail * , note , notice , observe , peg * , perceive , pinpoint , place , recall , recollect , remark , remember , ring a bell , see , sight , spot , tab , tag , verifynotes:the use of \' appreciate \' should involve valuing something or understanding it sympathetically , and when there is no value or sympathy , use \' recognize \' or \' understand \'; appreciate first meant \'set at a price; appraised\' , approve accept , agree , allow , appreciate , assent , avow , be aware of , comprehend , concede , confess , grant , greet , honor , make , own , realize , respect , salute , sanction , seenotes:the use of \' appreciate \' should involve valuing something or understanding it sympathetically , identify , accept , acknowledge , apprehend , approve , review , revise , understand