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