–v.t.
1. to declare (something) true or correct by an official spoken, written, or printed statement: »
This diploma certifies that you have completed high school.
SYNONYM(S): attest, affirm.2. to guarantee the quality or value of: »
The fire inspector certified the school building as fireproof.
SYNONYM(S): endorse.3. to guarantee as certain; attest the reliability of: »
The man's employers certified his honesty and reliability.
4. to make certain; assure; inform reliably: »
Lord, let me know…the number of my days: that I may be certified how long I have to live (Book of Common Prayer).
5. U.S. to guarantee in writing on the face of (a check) that the drawer has sufficient funds in the hands of the bank upon which it is drawn to meet it.
6. to declare (a person) legally insane: »
If anybody had predicted back then that we'd be selling at the rate we're selling now, he'd have been certified (New Yorker).
–v.i.
to make a certification; vouch for; give one's testimony (for, to): »
... one of the medical men certifying to the insanity of a gentleman (Alfred Taylor).
SYNONYM(S): testify.╂[< Old French certifier, learned borrowing from Late Latin certificāre < Latin certus sure + facere make]
–cer´ti|fi|er, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.