noun

1. Law
   1. 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.
   2. a sum of money pledged and subject to forfeit if this obligation is not fulfilled
2. Archaic recognition
3. 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