recognize

verb

• 1identify (someone or something) from having encountered them before; know again:I recognized her when her wig fell off Julia hardly recognized Jill when they met
• identify from knowledge of appearance or character:Pat is very good at recognizing wild flowers
• (of a computer or other machine) automatically identify and respond correctly to (a sound, printed character, etc.): Dr Friedman is programming his computer to recognize the shapes of strokes in the hands of various writers

• 2acknowledge the existence, validity, or legality of:the defence is recognized in British law he was recognized as an international authority
• show official appreciation of; reward formally:his work was recognized by an honorary degree from Glasgow University
• officially regard (a qualification) as valid or proper:these qualifications are recognized by the Department of Education
• grant diplomatic recognition to (a country or government): countries which recognized East Germany they were refusing to recognize the puppet regime
• (of a person presiding at a meeting or debate) call on (someone) to speak.