Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

recognizance

/ɹɪkˈɑnəzəns/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.29 in modern English

Syllables: re-cog-ni-zance
IPA: /ɹɪkˈɑnəzəns/

26

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A token; a symbol; a pledge.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An acknowledgment of a person or thing; an avowal; a profession; a recognition.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"The defendant was released on his own recognizance."
"That recognizance and pledge of love / Which I first gave her."
"Hobhouse's insolence to Mr. Hunt is not seen in its true light, unless we remember, that the latter is held under heavy recognizances to keep the peace!"

Etymology

From Middle English reconisaunce, from Old French reconissance. Doublet of reconnaissance.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *ǵneh₃-, reconisaunce, reconissance

Usage

Inflected Forms

recognizances (plural)

Frequently Paired Words

cognizance recognizant recognize

Synonyms

recog recognisance

Questions

How do you pronounce recognizance?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɹɪkˈɑnəzəns/.
What does recognizance mean?: 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.
Where does recognizance come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce recognizance

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