recognisance
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)
- (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 forfeitedSynonyms: recognizanceType of security, suretyKinds bail, bail bond
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
“recognisance” is listed under Recognizance.
Origin: 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.
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. John Cowell
☞ 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.— William Shakespeare
3. Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54