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Noun: recognisance  ri'kóg-ni-zun(t)s
Usage: Brit, Cdn (US: recognizance)
  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
    "The defendant was released on his own recognisance";
    - recognizance

Derived forms: recognisances

Type of: security, surety

Encyclopedia: Recognisance