warrant

Word Origin & History

early 13c., "protector, defender," from Old North French warant (Old French garant), from Frankish *warand (cf. Old High German weren "to authorize, warrant," German gewähren "to grant"), from Proto-Germanic *war- "to warn, guard, protect," perhaps from PIE root *wer- "to cover" (cf. Latin vereri "to observe with awe, revere, respect, fear;" Greek ouros "watchman," horan "to see;" Hittite werite- "to see;" see weir).

Sense evolved via notion of "permission from a superior which protects one from blame or responsibility" (c.1300) to "document conveying authority" (1510s). A warrant officer in the military is one who holds office by warrant, rather than by commission.

Example Sentences for warrant

"If your cask is leer, I warrant your purse is full, gaffer," shouted Hordle John.

"If you will warrant the beer, I will warrant the throat," said John composedly.

I'll warrant you have lost a dozen between Mallory's and here.

Again Kitty nodded, after looking up at him in alarm when he spoke of the warrant.

But I'll warrant you there's a kitchen garden in the rear of the palace.

A warrant was made out, and he was forthwith sent to the jail.

The signs of the times now warrant the hope of its fulfilment.

"The Bannister warrant is still out for you," returned the man.

If she gits a premium for puttin' up gardin-sass, I'll warrant there'll be a to-do.

Well, I may tell you that I have a warrant to arrest him on a charge of arson.

warrant

commands

commission

commissions

concession

concessions

confirm

confirming

confirms

warrant

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