warrant

¹war·rant

noun \ˈwȯr-ənt, ˈwär-\

Definition of WARRANT

1

a (1) : sanction, authorization; also : evidence for or token of authorization (2) : guarantee, security

b (1) : ground, justification (2) : confirmation, proof

2

a : a commission or document giving authority to do something; especially : a writing that authorizes a person to pay or deliver to another and the other to receive money or other consideration

b : a precept or writ issued by a competent magistrate authorizing an officer to make an arrest, a seizure, or a search or to do other acts incident to the administration of justice

c : an official certificate of appointment issued to an officer of lower rank than a commissioned officer

d (1) : a short-term obligation of a governmental body (as a municipality) issued in anticipation of revenue (2) : an instrument issued by a corporation giving to the holder the right to purchase the stock of the corporation at a stated price either prior to a stipulated date or at any future time

— war·rant·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of WARRANT

1. The police had a warrant for his arrest.
2. There was no warrant for such behavior.

Origin of WARRANT

Middle English waraunt protector, warrant, from Anglo-French warant, garant, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German werēnto guarantor, werēn to warrant; akin to Old High German wāra trust, care — more at very

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to WARRANT

Synonyms

allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, license (or licence), sanction, sufferance, permission

Antonyms

interdiction, prohibition, proscription

Related Words

imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp; accreditation, certification; liberty, pass; concession, patent, permit; tolerance, toleration; acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK (or okay); accord, grant

Near Antonyms

denial, refusal, rejection, revocation; taboo (also tabu); injunction, veto; deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression; ban, embargo, exclusion

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

Rhymes with WARRANT

horrent, torrent

²warrant

transitive verb

Definition of WARRANT

1

a : to declare or maintain with certainty : be sure that <I'll warrant he'll be here by noon>

b : to assure (a person) of the truth of what is said

2

a : to guarantee to a person good title to and undisturbed possession of (as an estate)

b : to provide a guarantee of the security of (as title to property sold) usually by an express covenant in the deed of conveyance

c : to guarantee to be as represented

d : to guarantee (as goods sold) especially in respect of the quality or quantity specified

3

: to guarantee security or immunity to : secure <I'll warrant him from drowning — Shakespeare>

4

: to give warrant or sanction to : authorize <the law warrants this procedure>

5

a : to give proof of the authenticity or truth of

b : to give assurance of the nature of or for the undertaking of : guarantee

6

: to serve as or give adequate ground or reason for <promising enough to warrant further consideration>

Examples of WARRANT

1. The writing was poor, but it hardly warrants that kind of insulting criticism.
2. The punishment he received was not warranted.

Origin of WARRANT

Middle English, waranten to act as protector, guarantee, from Anglo-French warentir, garantir, from warant

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to WARRANT

Synonyms

guarantee, guaranty

Antonyms

decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto

Related Words

attest, authenticate, avouch, certify, testify (to), vouch (for), witness; assure, bond, contract, covenant; pledge, plight, stipulate, swear, undertake, vow; adhere, assert, aver, avow, declare, insist; insure

Near Antonyms

ban, enjoin, forbid, illegalize, interdict, prohibit, proscribe; disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook; rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn

warrant

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In law, authorization in writing empowering a person to perform an act or execute an office. Arrest warrants are necessary (except in certain circumstances) for an arrest to be considered legal. Search warrants entitle the holder to enter and search a property. Both are classes of judicial warrants. To obtain them, a complainant must provide an affidavit setting forth facts sufficient to satisfy the belief that a crime has been committed and that the accused is the guilty party (or, in the case of the search warrant, that the place to be searched will yield the expected evidence). Nonjudicial warrants include tax warrants (which provide the authority to collect taxes) and land warrants (which entitle the holder to a specific tract of public land).