notary

C1 Topic:Law & Government

US /ˈnoʊ.t̬ɚ.i/ UK /ˈnəʊ.tər.i/ See IPA manual

Freq #14173

Meanings

1

noun
a public official authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify that documents are genuine

The notary checked both passports before witnessing the signatures on the affidavit.
2

noun
in many civil-law systems, a legally trained professional who drafts and authenticates private legal instruments and may advise the parties

The notary drafted the property-transfer deed and explained its legal effect to both parties.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a public official... notary public

2 noun · in many civil-law systems,... civil-law notary

Word family

Forms notaries

Derived forms notarialnotarizationnotarizenotaryship

Related forms affidavit attestationscrivener

Etymology

From Middle English notarie, through Old French notaire from Latin notarius, originally a shorthand writer or secretary, from nota, 'mark' or 'note'. The title shifted from a person who recorded proceedings to an official who authenticates legal acts and documents.

Topics

Law & Government Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# notary

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈnoʊ.t̬ɚ.i/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈnəʊ.tər.i/
**Frequency rank:** 14173

## Meanings
1. a public official authorized to witness signatures, administer oaths, and certify that documents are genuine
2. in many civil-law systems, a legally trained professional who drafts and authenticates private legal instruments and may advise the parties

## Examples
- The notary checked both passports before witnessing the signatures on the affidavit.
- The notary drafted the property-transfer deed and explained its legal effect to both parties.

## Synonyms
- notary public
- civil-law notary

## Derived Forms
- notarial
- notarization
- notarize
- notaryship

## Related Forms
- affidavit
- attestation
- scrivener

## Etymology
From Middle English notarie, through Old French notaire from Latin notarius, originally a shorthand writer or secretary, from nota, 'mark' or 'note'. The title shifted from a person who recorded proceedings to an official who authenticates legal acts and documents.

## Topics
- Law & Government
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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