RECOGNIZANCE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Recognizance

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noun

Recognizance n. (Written also recognisance)

(Law)

(a)

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.

(b)

The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize. Note: Among lawyers the g in this and the related words (except recognize) is usually silent.

A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge. "That recognizance and pledge of love Which I first gave her."

Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.

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Etymology of 'Recognizance'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Recognizance" Quotes from Famous Books

... been "hampered in the jail-house" but had walked free on his own recognizance, and, if report were true, he had been utilizing his freedom to organize his sympathizers for resistance. All in all, it promised to be a court day worth attending, with a measuring of ...

— The Roof Tree • Charles Neville Buck

... and until now, had never shown more than business benevolence. It was a surprising thing to the people of Chincoteague, when the news went round that he had been over to court at Drummond-town and given his recognizance to bring up the orphan boy—whom he named Abraham Purnell—so that the county should not be at the expense of him, and he also brought out from New York, on the Eli's next trip, a Hebrew woman to be the boy's matron. Suckled at a negro's breast, Abraham grew to a vigorous ...

— Tales of the Chesapeake • George Alfred Townsend

... bond given by a prosecutor and witnesses for their appearance at court, is sometimes called a recognizance. They bind themselves, with sureties, to forfeit and pay a certain sum of money in case of their non-appearance. A similar bond or recognizance is given in case of bail. The person accused binds himself, with sureties, in such sum as the justice requires, which is to be paid if he shall not appear for trial. The word bail is from a French word meaning to deliver, or to release. Hence, the justice bails, sets free, or ...

— The Government Class Book • Andrew W. Young

Words linked to "Recognizance" : bail, security, recognisance, bond, bail bond, surety, law