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n. 1. A document establishing the authenticity of certain details of an item, event, or transaction: a certificate of birth. 2. A document issued to a person completing a course of study not leading to a diploma. 3. A document certifying that a person may officially practice in certain professions. 4. A document certifying ownership. tr.v. (-kāt′) cer·tif·i·cat·ed, cer·tif·i·cat·ing, cer·tif·i·cates To furnish with, testify to, or authorize by a certificate. [Middle English certificat, from Old French, from Medieval Latin certificātum, something certified, from neuter of Late Latin certificātus, past participle of certificāre, to certify; see CERTIFY.] cer·tifi·ca·to′ry (-kə-tôr′ē) adj. |
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