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recognizance
recognizance definition
re·cog·ni·zance (ri käg′ni zəns, -kän′i-)
noun
- Law
- an obligation of record entered into before a court or magistrate, binding a person to do or not do something, be in court at a certain time, etc.
- a sum of money pledged and subject to forfeit if this obligation is not fulfilled
- Archaic recognition
- Obsolete a symbol, token, or badge
Etymology: ME reconissance < OFr reconaissance < reconnoisant, prp. of reconoistre < L recognoscere, to recall to mind < re-, again + cognoscere, to know: see cognition
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