recognizance

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: re=cog=ni=zance

CIDE DICTIONARY

recognizance, n. [F. reconnaissance, OF. recognoissance, fr. recognoissant, p. pr. of recognoistre to recognize, F. reconnaître, fr. L. recognoscere; pref. re- re- + cognoscere to know. See Cognizance, Know, and cf. Recognize, Reconnoissance.].

•  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.  Cowell.  [1913 Webster]

  " Among lawyers the g in this and the related words (except recognize) is usually silent."  [1913 Webster]
•  A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge.  [1913 Webster]

  "That recognizance and pledge of love
  Which I first gave her."  [1913 Webster]
•  Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

recognizance, n.
1 a bond by which a person undertakes before a court or magistrate to observe some condition, e.g. to appear when summoned.
2 a sum pledged as surety for this.

Etymology

ME f. OF recon(n)issance (as RE-, COGNIZANCE)

THESAURUS

recognizance

agreement, arrangement, bail, bond, commitment, contract, contract by deed, contract of record, contract quasi, covenant of indemnity, debenture, debenture bond, deed, deed of trust, deed poll, earnest, earnest money, engagement, escrow, formal contract, gage, group policy, handsel, hock, hostage, implied contract, indent, indenture, insurance policy, mainprise, mortgage deed, obligation, parol contract, pawn, pignus, pledge, policy, preengagement, promissory note, replevin, replevy, special contract, specialty, specialty contract, surety, title deed, token payment, understanding, undertaking, vadimonium, vadium, verbal agreement

ROGET THESAURUS

recognizance

Security

N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.