warrant

war•rant

[[t]ˈwɔr ənt, ˈwɒr-[/t]] n.

1) authorization, sanction, or justification

2) something that serves to give formal assurance of something; a guarantee

3) something regarded as offering a guarantee or positive assurance of a thing:

The cavalry and artillery were sure warrants of success[/ex]

4) a document certifying or authorizing something, as a receipt or license

5) law Law. an instrument authorizing an officer to make an arrest, search or seize property, etc

6) mil the certificate of authority issued to an officer of the armed forces immediately below the rank of a commissioned officer

7) bus a written authorization for the payment or receipt of money

8) to authorize

9) to give reason or sanction for; justify:

Circumstances warrant such measures[/ex]

10) to vouch for (often used with a clause):

I'll warrant he did![/ex]

11) to give a formal assurance to or for; guarantee:

to warrant payment[/ex]

12) to guarantee the quantity, quality, and other representations of (a product), as to a purchaser

13) bus to assure indemnification against loss to

14) law Law. to guarantee title of property to (a grantee)

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Etymology: 1175–1225; ME warant < AF; OF guarant < Gmc; cf. MLG warend, -ent warranty, n. use of prp. of waren to warrant; cf. guaranty