The story
- Old French · derived fromreconissance
- Middle English · inherited fromreconisaunce
- English todayrecognizance
From Middle English reconisaunce, from Old French reconissance. Doublet of reconnaissance.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
recognizance
Today it means: A form of bail; a promise made by the accused to the court that they will attend all required judicial proceedings and will not engage in further illegal activity or other prohibited conduct as set by the court. Full definition →
Middle English reconisaunce ← Old French reconissance