n. & v.
n. 1 a anything that authorizes a person or an action (have no warrant for this). b a person so authorizing (I will be your warrant). 2 a a written authorization, money voucher, travel document, etc. (a dividend warrant). b a written authorization allowing police to search premises, arrest a suspect, etc. 3 a document authorizing counsel to represent the principal in a lawsuit (warrant of attorney). 4 a certificate of service rank held by a warrant-officer.
v.tr. 1 serve as a warrant for; justify (nothing can warrant his behaviour). 2 guarantee or attest to esp. the genuineness of an article, the worth of a person, etc. I (or I'll) warrant I am certain; no doubt (he'll be sorry, I'll warrant). warrant-officer an officer ranking between commissioned officers and NCOs. warranter n. warrantor n.
[ ME f. ONF warant, var. of OF guarant, -and f. Frank. werend (unrecorded) f. giweren be surety for ]