I thought that it deserved its own thread.
;)
re·con·nais·sance
Pronunciation: ri-'kä-n&-z&n(t)s, -s&n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: French, literally, recognition, from Middle French reconoissance
Date: 1810
Definition: A preliminary survey to gain information; especially : an exploratory military survey of enemy territory
~Josh