Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An obligation, entered into before a judge or magistrate, to perform a particular action, such as appearing in court, without the posting of a bond.
  • noun A sum of money pledged to assure the performance of such an action.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The act of recognizing; acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; recognition.
  • noun Mark or badge of recognition; token.
  • noun In law:
  • noun An obligation of record entered into before some court of record or magistrate duly authorized, conditioned to do some particular act, as to appear at court, to keep the peace, or pay a debt.
  • noun The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun 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.
  • noun The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize.
  • noun A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge.
  • noun Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun law a form of bail; a promise made by the accused to the court that he/she will attend all required judicial proceedings and will not engage in further illegal activity or other prohibited conduct as set by the court.
  • noun A token; a symbol; a pledge.
  • noun acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • 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

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English recognisanze, from Old French recognuissance, alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin recognizāre, to recognize) of reconoissance, from reconoistre, reconoiss-, to recognize; see recognize.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

recognize +‎ -ance

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Examples

  • When was the last time you used the word recognizance in casual conversation?

    unknown title 2009

  • "recognizance" is one of those words that always looks wrong.

    Jean Gris isn't worried about your guns. muncle 2007

  • A recognizance is a set of conditions they must adhere to while out on surety.

    Yahoo! Answers: Latest Questions 2009

  • Hall was released on her own recognizance, meaning she promised to appear in court and answer a criminal charge.

    Bridget Hall Arrested For Driving While Intoxicated 2010

  • Hall was released on her own recognizance, meaning she promised to appear in court and answer a criminal charge.

    Bridget Hall Arrested For Driving While Intoxicated 2010

  • Hall was released on her own recognizance, meaning she promised to appear in court and answer a criminal charge.

    Bridget Hall Arrested For Driving While Intoxicated 2010

  • The supermodel was pulled over at 3: 17 a.m. on August 29 in East Hampton, New York, and allegedly released on her own recognizance, meaning she promised to appear in court and answer a criminal charge.

    Bridget Hall Contesting Drunk Driving Arrest 2010

  • Arlington Detective Crystal L. Nosal Abuelazam said police realized he was wanted on a simple assault warrant in Leesburg, about 30 miles away, but a magistrate released him on personal recognizance, meaning he was responsible for returning to court.

    www2.timesdispatch.com - News 2010

  • She says after booking him, a magistrate denied Abuelazam bond, and released him the same day on personal recognizance, meaning he would be responsible for returning to court.

    WMDT Top News Stories 2010

  • Arlington Detective Crystal L. Nosal Abuelazam said police realized he was wanted on a simple assault warrant in Leesburg, about 30 miles away, but a magistrate released him on personal recognizance, meaning he was responsible for returning to court.

    WREG - CLICK HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS 2010

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