From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Recognizance \Re*cog"ni*zance\ (r[-e]*k[o^]g"n[i^]*zans or r[-e]*k[o^]n"[i^]-), noun [F. reconnaissance, OF. recognoissance, fr. recognoissant, p. pr. of recognoistre to recognize, F. reconna[^i]tre, fr. L. recognoscere; pref. re- re- + cognoscere to know. See {Cognizance}, {Know}, and cf. {Recognize}, {Reconnoissance}.] [Written also {recognisance}.]
1. (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. --Cowell.
Note: Among lawyers the g in this and the related words (except recognize) is usually silent.
2. A token; a symbol; a pledge; a badge.
That recognizance and pledge of love Which I first gave her. --Shak.
3. Acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; profession; recognition.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
noun
1: (law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited [syn: {recognisance}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
52 Moby Thesaurus words for "recognizance": agreement, arrangement, bail, bond, commitment, contract, contract by deed, contract of record, contract quasi, covenant of indemnity, debenture, debenture bond, deed, deed of trust, deed poll, earnest, earnest money, engagement, escrow, formal contract, gage, group policy, handsel, hock, hostage, implied contract, indent, indenture, insurance policy, mainprise, mortgage deed, obligation, parol contract, pawn, pignus, pledge, policy, preengagement, promissory note, replevin, replevy, special contract, specialty, specialty contract, surety, title deed, token payment, understanding, undertaking, vadimonium, vadium, verbal agreement
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