Warrant

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈwɒɹənt/

Alternative forms

• warraunt obsolete

From Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French warant, warand ( = Old French guarant >

modern garant), present participle of a Romance verb from Frankish *warjan.

Full definition of warrant

Noun

1. (obsolete) A protector or defender.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book X:Than for pité I made the damesell to lepe on her palferey, and I promysed her to be her waraunte and to helpe to entyre her lorde.
• 1611, William Shakespeare, The TempestI'll warrant him for drowning; though the ship were no stronger than a nutshell and as leaky as an unstanched wench.
2. Authorization or certification; sanction, as given by a superior.
3. Something that provides assurance or confirmation; a guarantee or proof: a warrant of authenticity; a warrant for success.He almost gives his failings as a warrant for his greatness (Garry Wills).
4. An order that serves as authorization, especially: A voucher authorizing payment or receipt of money.
5. (legal) A judicial writ authorizing an officer to make a search, seizure, or arrest or to execute a judgment.arrest warrant issued by Thai supreme court
6. A warrant officer.
7. A certificate of appointment given to a warrant officer.
8. (finance) An option, usually with a term at issue greater than a year, usually issued together with another security, to buy other securities of the issuer.
9. (New Zealand) A Warrant of Fitness; a document certifying that a motor vehicle meets certain standards of safety and mechanical soundness.

Derived terms

• warrant card
• death warrant

From Anglo-Norman, Old Northern French warantir, warandir ( = Old French guarantir >

modern garantir), a Romance formation from the noun, Etymology 1, above.

Verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To protect, keep safe (from danger).
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 44:all honest meanes for a man to warrant himselfe from evils are not onely tolerable, but commendable.
2. (transitive) To guarantee (something) to be (of a specified quality, value etc.).
• 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:His pure tight skin was an excellent fit; and closely wrapped up in it, and embalmed with inner health and strength, like a revivified Egyptian, this Starbuck seemed prepared to endure for long ages to come, and to endure always, as now; for be it Polar snow or torrid sun, like a patent chronometer, his interior vitality was warranted to do well in all climates.
3. (transitive) To guarantee as being true; colloquially to believe strongly.That tree is going to fall, I'll warrant.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To give (someone) a guarantee or assurance (of something); also, with double object, to guarantee (someone something).
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.ii.1.1:Crato, in a consultation of his for a noble patient, tells him plainly, that if his highness will keep but a good diet, he will warrant him his former health.
5. (transitive) To authorize; to give (someone) warrant or sanction (to do something).I am warranted to search these premises fully.
6. (transitive) To justify; to give grounds for.Circumstances arose that warranted the use of lethal force.