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v. cer·ti·fied, cer·ti·fy·ing, cer·ti·fies v.tr. 1. a. To confirm formally as true, accurate, or genuine: The police certified that a suspect had been arrested. b. To guarantee as meeting a standard: butter that was certified Grade A. 2. To acknowledge in writing on the face of (a check) that the signature of the maker is genuine and that there are sufficient funds on deposit for its payment. 3. To issue a license or certificate to. 4. To declare to be in need of psychiatric treatment or confinement. 5. Archaic To inform positively; assure. v.intr. To vouch for the authenticity of something: certify to the facts. [Middle English certifien, from Old French certifier, from Late Latin certificāre : Latin certus, certain; see CERTAIN + Latin -ficāre, -fy.] certi·fi′er n. |
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