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recognizance

Definition

  • noun: a legal promise made by someone before a court of law that must be kept to avoid being punished
  • noun: an obligation of 'record' entered into before a court or magistrate requiring the performance of an act (as appearance in court) usually under penalty of a money forfeiture

Examples

  • He was released 'on his own recognizance'. [=he promised to do what the court wanted him to do and the court let him go]

Movie quotes

  • (..) Do you tell your landlord everything? Ah, I told you to be careful, Tom. If I'd have been careful piloting that recognizance plane during the war, you wouldn't have had the chance to take the pictures that won you a medal and a good job... and fame and money. (..)
    1954 Rear Window