corroboration

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the act of confirming a statement or theory with independent evidence

   Investigators sought corroboration of the witness's account before making an arrest.

2. 2
   noun

   evidence that confirms or strengthens a claim

   The second laboratory's results provided strong corroboration for the original finding.

From Middle English corroboracioun, borrowed from Late Latin corroboratio ("strengthening"), from corroborare ("to strengthen"). The Latin verb combines con- ("together, thoroughly") with robur ("strength; hard oak"), so corroborating evidence literally strengthens a claim.

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