Which term describes a bond, deed, or other document kept in the custody of a third party, taking effect only when a specified condition has been fulfilled?

• A. Escrow
• B. Elicited
• C. Cinched
• D. Fondle

Answer: (A)

Escrow describes a situation where a bond, deed, or other document is held by a neutral third party and only takes effect or is released when a specified condition is fulfilled. This setup protects both sides by ensuring that obligations—such as payment, delivery of documents, or performance—are completed before ownership or rights transfer. In real estate, for example, the deed and funds often go into escrow until closing conditions are met. The other terms don’t fit: elicited means drawn out, cinched isn’t the legal concept of conditional release, and fondle means to touch, which is unrelated to document custody or conditional effectiveness.