recognizance
/rɪˈkɒ(ɡ)nɪz(ə)ns
/(also recognisance)
noun Law
A bond by which a person undertakes before a court or magistrate to observe some condition, especially to appear when summoned: the Lord Chancellor asked them to enter into recognizances to appear in court he was released on his own recognizance of £30,000...
- She failed to comply with the terms of her release by failing to comply with the conditions of her recognizance.
- It records that he has an extensive criminal record, including threats, numerous failures to comply with recognizances and probation orders and three failures to appear.
- He was arrested for violating the terms of his recognizance.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French reconnissance, from reconnaistre 'recognize'.