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The Collaborative International Dictionary
recognisance

Recognizance \Re*cog"ni*zance\ (r[-e]*k[o^]g"n[i^]*zans or r[-e]*k[o^]n"[i^]-), n. [F. reconnaissance, OF. recognoissance, fr. recognoissant, p. pr. of recognoistre to recognize, F. reconna[^i]tre, fr. L. recognoscere; pref. re- re- + cognoscere to know. See Cognizance, Know, and cf. Recognize, Reconnoissance.] [Written also recognisance.]

  1. (Law)

    1. 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.

    2. 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.

Wiktionary
recognisance

n. (alternative spelling of recognizance English)

WordNet
recognisance

n. (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 [syn: recognizance]

Usage examples of "recognisance".

And this judgment is to be executed upon him except some honest person worth five pounds in the queen's books in goods, or twenty shillings in land, or some rich householder to be allowed by the justices, will be bound in recognisance to retain him in his service for one whole year.

He was formally charged and bailed by the sergeant on his own recognisance of £100 to appear before the North London magistrates the folowing morning.

I shall remand each of the accused for eight days, each on his own recognisances of £25.