RECOGNIZANCE


Meaning of RECOGNIZANCE in English

n.

Pronunciation: ri- ' käg-n ə -z ə n(t)s, - ' kä-n ə -

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English recognissance, alteration of reconissaunce, from Anglo-French, from reconoistre to recognize

Date: 14th century

1 a : an obligation of record entered into before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (as appearance in court) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture <released on his own recognizance > b : the sum liable to forfeiture upon such an obligation

2 archaic : TOKEN , PLEDGE

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.