recognizance

An obligation, entered into before a judge or magistrate, to perform a particular action, such as appearing in court, without the posting of a bond.

A sum of money pledged to assure the performance of such an action.

The act of recognizing; acknowledgment of a person or thing; avowal; recognition.

Mark or badge of recognition; token.

In law:

An obligation of record entered into before some court of record or magistrate duly authorized, conditioned to do some particular act, as to appear at court, to keep the peace, or pay a debt.

The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize.

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.

The verdict of a jury impaneled upon assize.