certificate English · revision 6832

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1447|origins=la certus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /səˈtɪfɪkət/, /sɜːˈtɪfɪkət/ ''(UK)''; /sɚˈtɪfɪkət/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English certificat, [[bor|frm|certificat]] or directly [[bor|la-med|certificatum|t=a thing certified]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) the noun use of the neuter past participle of [[m|la-lat|certificare|t=to make certain]] (see [[certify]]),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|certus|t=certain]].^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The action of certifying, an attestation: the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) late Middle English in SOED, whose sense lasted until the mid-17th century.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A document in which a fact is formally attested is from 1447 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the mid-15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and especially one showing the bearer's status or qualifications, such as a licence to practise, from 1549, the 1540s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Later uses include a bankrupt's certificate (1707), a document committing someone to an asylum (1883),^(OED 1989) and the British ''Certificate of Secondary Education'' (1961).^(OED 1989) The verb, to furnish with or authorize by a certificate, is from the 18th century,^(SOED 2002) 1818 in the OED and MWU.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * early 15th century – the action of certifying.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1447 – a document attesting a fact.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1549 – a document certifying the bearer's status or qualifications.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1818 – the verb.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An official [[document]] attesting the truth of certain facts, such as a birth, marriage or death.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A document showing that someone has completed a course or may practise a [[profession]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A document showing [[ownership]], such as a [[share]] certificate.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To furnish with or [[authorize]] by a certificate.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[certificatory]]

+ * [[birth certificate]]

+ * [[certificate of deposit]]

+ * [[death certificate]]

+ * [[gift certificate]]

+ * [[gold certificate]]

+ * [[silver certificate]]

+ * [[stock certificate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[certify]]

+ * [[certified]]

+ * [[certain]]

+ * [[certification]]

+ * [[certitude]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}