certificate

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A document testifying to the truth of something: a certificate of birth.
2. n. A document issued to a person completing a course of study not leading to a diploma.
3. n. A document certifying that a person may officially practice in certain professions.
4. n. A document certifying ownership.
5. v. To furnish with, testify to, or authorize by a certificate.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In a general sense, a written testimony to the truth of something; a paper written in order to serve as evidence of a matter of fact.
2. n. In a more particular sense, a statement written and signed (usually by some public officer), but not necessarily nor usually sworn to, which is by law made evidence of the truth of the facts stated, for all or for certain purposes. Such are, for example, a certificate of discharge, issued by a bankruptcy court to show that a bankrupt has been duly released from his debts; a certificate of naturalization, issued by the proper court to show that the holder has been duly made a citizen; a certificate of registry, issued by a custom-house collector to show that a vessel has complied with the navigation laws. A certificate is the usual mode of evidencing those acts of ministerial and executive officers which are done for the benefit of particular persons who may desire to possess evidence of them independently of official record.
3. To give a certificate to, as to one who has passed an examination; furnish with a certificate: as, to certificate the captain of a vessel.
4. To attest, certify, or vouch for by certificate: as, to certificate a fact.
5. n. An official written representation that some act has or has not been done, or that some event has occurred, or that some formal legal requirement has been ful-filled. It usually issues from some court for the purpose of giving notice of things done in the court, or to authorize or warrant some act upon the part of some other court or judge.
6. n. A document used in the British custom-house by which certain goods formerly imported can be exported and the duties paid upon importation refunded.
7. n. The opinion of the court, signed by the judges, upon a question of law submitted to them by the chancellor for their decision.

Wiktionary

1. n. A document containing a certified statement.
2. n. A document evidencing ownership or debt.
3. n. computing theory The information needed in order to verify a positive answer to a problem.
4. v. To supply with a certificate, especially following certification

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A written testimony to the truth of any fact.
2. n. A written declaration legally authenticated.
3. v. To verify or vouch for by certificate.
4. v. To furnish with a certificate.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
2. v. authorize by certificate
3. n. a formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends
4. v. present someone with a certificate