pocket judgment (poketjuj"ment)

Formerly, in England, a recognizance given to secure a private debt, as distinguished from a recognizance taken as a public obligation. The Statute of Merchants, 13 Edward I., stat. 3, authorized recognizances to be taken for the securing of debts in certain cases, and allowed enforcement against property without the formality of a suit. A recognizance so taken was technically termed a statute merchant, and this, too, has been called a pocket - judgment. pocket-knife (pok'et-nif), n. A knife with one or more blades which fold into the handle, suitable for carrying in the pocket; loosely, a penknife.