RECOGNIZANCE

recognizance, recognisance

(noun) (law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

recognizance (countable and uncountable, plural recognizances)

(legal) a form of bail; a promise made by the accused to the court that they will attend all required judicial proceedings and will not engage in further illegal activity or other prohibited conduct as set by the court.

A token; a symbol; a pledge.

Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

Source: Wiktionary

Re*cog"ni*zance, n. Etym: [F. reconnaissance, OF. recognoissance, fr. recognoissant, p. pr. of recognoistre to recognize, F. reconnaître, fr. L. recognoscere; pref. re- re- + cognoscere to know. See Cognizance, Know, and cf. Recognize, Reconnoissance.] [Written also recognisance.]

1. (Law) (a) An obligation of record entered into before some court of record or magistrate duly authorized, with condition to do some particular act, as to appear at the same or some other court, to keep the peace, or pay a debt. A recognizance differs from a bond, being witnessed by the record only, and not by the party's seal. (b) The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize. Cowell.

Note: Among lawyers the g in this and the related words (except recognize) is usually silent.

2. A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge. That recognizance and pledge of love Which I first gave her. Shak.

3. Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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