certify

(sʉrtə fī′)

transitive verb certified, certifying

  1. to declare (a thing) true, accurate, certain, etc. by formal statement, often in writing; verify; attest
  2. to declare officially insane and committable to a mental institution
  3. ☆ to guarantee the quality or worth of (a check, document, etc.); vouch for
  4. to issue a certificate or license to
  5. Archaic to assure; make certain

Origin: ME certifien < OFr certifier < LL certificare < L certus, certain + -fy

intransitive verb

to testify (to)

Related Forms:

See certify in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb cer·ti·fied, cer·ti·fy·ing, cer·ti·fies
verb, transitive
  1. a. To confirm formally as true, accurate, or genuine.
    b. To guarantee as meeting a standard: butter that was certified Grade A. See Synonyms at approve.
  2. To acknowledge in writing on the face of (a check) that the signature of the maker is genuine and that there are sufficient funds on deposit for its payment.
  3. To issue a license or certificate to.
  4. To declare to be in need of psychiatric treatment or confinement.
  5. Archaic To inform positively; assure.
verb, intransitive
To testify: certify to the facts.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English certifien

Origin: , from Old French certifier

Origin: , from Late Latin certificāre

Origin: : Latin certus, certain; see certain

Origin: + Latin -ficāre, -fy

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Related Forms:

  • cerˈti·fiˌer noun

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