[cer.tif.i.cate] n [ME certificat, fr. MF, fr. ML certificatum, fr. LL, neut. of certificatus, pp. of certificare to certify] (15c) 1: a document containing a certified statement esp. as to the truth of something; specif: a document certifying that one has fulfilled the requirements of and may practice in a field
2: something serving the same end as a certificate
3: a document evidencing ownership or debt "a ~ of deposit"
[2]cer.tif.i.cate vt -cat.ed ; -cat.ing (1883): to testify to or authorize by a certificate; esp: to recognize as having met special qualifications (as of a governmental agency or professional board) within a field -- cer.tif.i.ca.to.ry adj