/ri kog"neuh zeuhns, -kon"euh-/ , n.
1. Law.
a. a bond or obligation of record entered into before a court of record or a magistrate, binding a person to do a particular act.
b. the sum pledged as surety on such a bond.
2. Archaic. recognition.
3. Archaic. a token; badge.
[ 1350-1400; ME reconissaunce, recognisance reconuissance. See RECOGNIZE, -ANCE ]