certificate

[n. ser-tif-i-kit; v. ser-tif-i-keyt] /n. sərˈtɪf ɪ kɪt; v. sərˈtɪf ɪˌkeɪt/
noun
1.
a document serving as evidence or as written testimony, as of status, qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something.
2.
a document attesting to the fact that a person has completed an educational course, issued either by an institution not authorized to grant diplomas, or to a student not qualifying for a diploma.
3.
Law. a statement, written and signed, which is by law made evidence of the truth of the facts stated, for all or for certain purposes.
4.
Finance.
  1. gold certificate.
  2. silver certificate.
verb (used with object), certificated, certificating.
5.
to furnish with or authorize by a certificate.
6.
to issue an official certificate attesting to the training, aptitude, and qualification of:
to certificate a teacher.
Origin
1375-1425; late Middle English certificat < Medieval Latin certificātum, noun use of neuter of certificātus certified (past participle of certificāre), equivalent to certific- (see certify) + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
certificatory
[ser-tif-uh-ki-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /sərˈtɪf ə kɪˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/ (Show IPA), adjective
noncertificated, adjective
uncertificated, adjective
Can be confused
certificate, degree, diploma, license.
Examples from the web for certificate
  • My father was a junior, but not on his birth certificate.
  • He even produced a certificate from the local health department to prove it.
  • By the way, her age was changed on the marriage certificate.
  • certificate authorities create a key pair of both a private and a public key for you.
  • The balance of graduate students were enrolled in certificate programs.
  • Download this certificate of appreciation for your trick-or-treater.
  • Some boards, however, require a new certificate of occupancy in this situation.
  • In other words they hired her without a certificate but made her earn her certificate quickly.
  • Each handsome globe comes with a certificate of authenticity.
  • They each come with a certificate of authenticity imprinted on a plastic credit card.
British Dictionary definitions for certificate

certificate

noun (səˈtɪfɪkɪt)
1.
an official document attesting the truth of the facts stated, as of birth, marital status, death, health, completion of an academic course, ability to practise a profession, etc
2.
short for share certificate
verb (səˈtɪfɪˌkeɪt)
3.
(transitive) to authorize by or present with an official document
Derived Forms
certificatory, adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Old French certificat, from certifiercertify
Word Origin and History for certificate
n.

early 15c., "action of certifying," from French certificat, from Medieval Latin certificatum "thing certified," noun use of neuter past participle of certificare (see certify). Of documents, from mid-15c., especially a document which attests to someone's authorization to practice or do something (1540s).