recognizance

[ ri-kog-nuh-zuhns, -kon-uh- ]
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noun
  1. Law.

    • a bond or obligation of record entered into before a court of record or a magistrate, binding a person to do a particular act.

    • the sum pledged as surety on such a bond.

  2. Archaic. recognition.

  1. Archaic. a token; badge.

Origin of recognizance

1
1350–1400; Middle English reconissaunce, recognisance<Old French reconuissance.See recognize, -ance

Words Nearby recognizance

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How to use recognizance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for recognizance

recognizance

recognisance

/ (rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns) /


noun
  1. law

    • 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

    • a monetary sum pledged to the performance of such an act

  2. an obsolete word for recognition

Origin of recognizance

1
C14: from Old French reconoissance, from reconoistre to recognize

Derived forms of recognizance

  • recognizant or recognisant, adjective

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