noun / verb

certificate

sur-TIF-ih-kuht/sərˈtɪfɪkət/

An official document serving as proof, or the act of issuing one.

She receives a certificate after completing the training course.

Graduate holds official diploma toward viewer, embossed seal and ribbon clearly visible, no textual content; proud quiet face, chest-up isolated on white.

Etymology

certLatinfixed, sure

+ificLatinto make, do

+ateLatinthing acted upon

“Sure” plus “make” underlies the idea of a “thing certified.” This became a document that carries such assurance by formally attesting a fact, qualification, or authorization.

In context

National Notary Association3:33

you will need to fill out a separate Notary certificate and staple it to the back of the document. Now, what do you fill in? Fill in the venue or county where you are notarizing, the date you notarized

How to Complete an Acknowledgment

More examples

The office issues a replacement birth certificate.
The authority certificates approved aircraft.
Each certificate bears the registrar's signature.

Forms

certificate · certificates · certificated · certificating

Similar words

diploma: Usually documents completion of an educational program.
license: Authorizes an activity rather than merely attesting a fact.