recognizance or recognisance (rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| 1. | law |
| a. a bond entered into before a court or magistrate by which a person binds himself to do a specified act, as to appear in court on a stated day, keep the peace, or pay a debt | |
| b. a monetary sum pledged to the performance of such an act | |
| 2. | an obsolete word for recognition |
| [C14: from Old French reconoissance, from reconoistre to | |
| recognisance or recognisance | |
| —n | |
| [C14: from Old French reconoissance, from reconoistre to | |
| re'cognizant or recognisance | |
| —adj | |
| re'cognisant or recognisance | |
| —adj | |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |