certificate: Meaning and Definition of

cer•tif•i•cate

Pronunciation: (n.sur-tif'i-kitv.sur-tif'i-kāt&sec), [key]
— n., v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing.
—n.
  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. a statement, written and signed, which is by law made evidence of the truth of the facts stated, for all or for certain purposes.
    1. Seegold certificate.
    2. Seesilver certificate.
—v.t.
  1. to furnish with or authorize by a certificate.
  2. to issue an official certificate attesting to the training, aptitude, and qualification of: to certificate a teacher.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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