Recognizance definition
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.
Released on his own recognizance.
noun
A sum of money pledged to assure the performance of such an action.
noun
(obs.) A symbol, token, or badge.
noun
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.
noun
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A sum of money pledged and subject to forfeit if this obligation is not fulfilled.
noun
A bond made to a court, and recorded, of an obligation to do something, which if the person so bound fails to do will require the payment of a preset sum of money. Most often, a recognizance is in the form of a bail bond that guarantees an unimprisoned criminal defendant’s appearance for trial. See also bail, bond, and release on own recognizance.
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.
The defendant was released on his own recognizance.
noun
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Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
recognizance
Plural:
recognizancesOrigin of recognizance
- Middle English recognisanze from Old French recognuissance alteration (influenced by Medieval Latin recognizāre to recognize) of reconoissance from reconoistre reconoiss- to recognize recognize
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- recognize +"Ž -ance
From Wiktionary