authenticate

[aw-then-ti-keyt] /ɔˈθɛn tɪˌkeɪt/

verb (used with object), authenticated, authenticating.

to establish as genuine.

to establish the authorship or origin of conclusively or unquestionably, chiefly by the techniques of scholarship:

to authenticate a painting.

to make authoritative or valid.

Origin

1565-75; < Medieval Latin authenticātus made authentic (past participle of authenticāre). See authentic, -ate¹

Related forms

authenticatable, adjective

authentication, noun

nonauthenticated, adjective

nonauthentication, noun

reauthenticate, verb (used with object), reauthenticated, reauthenticating.

reauthentication, noun

self-authenticating, adjective

unauthenticated, adjective

well-authenticated, adjective

Synonyms

1. confirm, validate, substantiate.

Examples from the web for authentication

Newer models employ challenge-response authentication over radio frequency and are considered much more secure.
Before forensics, the standard process of authentication involved establishing provenance.
Our authentication systems could be authenticating programs infected with malware.
Alternately the authors could be given the option of removing their own duplicates with a simple authentication routine.
Of necessity, layers of authentication have been added to those as they matured over the years.
The researchers found that they could take control of this system by breaking through its authentication system.
In online banking, for example, the bank wants robust authentication.
Cookies are a staple on sites which require users to log in, allowing for a continuous session after a single authentication.
It is crucial that such sites have proper authentication and privacy controls.
All players would be linked to a central authentication and responsible gaming center.

British Dictionary definitions for authentication

authenticate

/ɔːˈθɛntɪˌkeɪt/

verb (transitive)

to establish as genuine or valid

to give authority or legal validity to

Derived Forms

authentication, noun
authenticator, noun

Word Origin and History for authentication

1788, noun of action from authenticate (v.).

authenticate

"verify, establish the credibility of," 1650s, from Medieval Latin authenticatus, past participle of authenticare, from authenticus (see authentic). Related: Authenticated; authenticating.

authentication in Technology

security
The verification of the identity of a person or process. In a communication system, authentication verifies that messages really come from their stated source, like the signature on a (paper) letter. The most common form of authentication is typing a user name (which may be widely known or easily guessable) and a corresponding password that is presumed to be known only to the individual being authenticated. Another form of authentication is biometrics.
(2007-02-22)