recognisance
/rɪˈkɑɡnɪzəns/
noun
- A legal promise to do something, especially to appear in court, backed by a sum of money that may be forfeited if the promise is broken.
- The judge released him on his own recognisance, requiring no bail payment.
- If he fails to appear in court, the recognisance will be forfeited to the state.
- She signed a recognisance agreeing to return for her trial next month.
- A formal acknowledgment or recognition of something, such as a debt or obligation.
- The contract included a recognisance of the buyer's responsibility for shipping costs.
- The debtor gave a recognisance to repay the loan within one year.
- In the old records, a recognisance was used to confirm the amount owed.