recognizance
noun /rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns/
/rɪˈkɑːɡnɪzəns/
(British English also recognisance)
[uncountable] (law)- a promise by somebody who is accused of a crime to appear in court on a particular date; a sum of money paid as a guarantee of this promiseWord OriginMiddle English: from Old French reconnissance, from reconnaistre ‘recognize’.