warrant

/'wɔrənt/

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The word "warrant" can be used as both a noun and a verb, and it has several different meanings depending on the context. Let's break it down in a simple way.

As a Noun:

1. Written Assurance: A warrant can be a written guarantee that a product or service will be provided or will meet certain standards. For example, if you buy a new phone, it might come with a warranty (a type of warrant) that says it will work for one year without problems.

   • Example: "The warranty on my new laptop covers repairs for two years."

2. Formal Approval: It can also refer to formal approval or endorsement, like when a political party supports a candidate.

   • Example: "The candidate received the union's warrant of support."

3. Legal Document: In a legal context, a warrant is a document issued by a judge that allows police to take specific actions, such as searching a property or making an arrest.

   • Example: "The police arrested him after obtaining a search warrant."

4. Financial Instrument: A warrant can be a type of security, similar to a stock option, that gives the holder the right to buy shares of a company's stock at a specific price.

   • Example: "Investors were excited to receive warrants when they bought the new bonds."

As a Verb:

1. To Guarantee or Assure: When used as a verb, "warrant" means to guarantee the quality or accuracy of something.

   • Example: "The seller warrants that all the cars he sells are in excellent condition."

2. To Justify: It can also mean to provide good reason for something.

   • Example: "The evidence does not warrant a harsh punishment."

Advanced Usage:

• Legal Context: In law, "to warrant" can mean to provide justification for an action, such as a police officer acting in self-defense.
• Business Context: In finance, warrants can be an important part of investment strategies, as they can increase in value if the company performs well.

Word Variants:

• Warrantor: A person or entity that provides a warranty.
• Warrantable: Something that can be warranted or justified.

Different Meanings:

• In everyday conversation, "warrant" usually refers to guarantees or justifications, while in legal or financial discussions, it may refer to specific legal documents or financial instruments.

Synonyms:

• For Guarantee: Guarantee, assurance, warranty, endorsement.
• For Justification: Justify, validate, support.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Warrant a closer look": This means that something deserves more attention or scrutiny.
  • Example: "This situation warrants a closer look before making a decision."

Summary:

In summary, "warrant" is a versatile word that can mean a guarantee, a legal document, or to justify something.

Academic

Noun

1. a written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
2. formal and explicit approval
   • a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement
3. a type of security issued by a corporation (usually together with a bond or preferred stock) that gives the holder the right to purchase a certain amount of common stock at a stated price
   • as a sweetener they offered warrants along with the fixed-income securities
4. a writ from a court commanding police to perform specified acts

Verb

1. stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of
   • The dealer warrants all the cars he sells
   • I warrant this information
2. show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
   • The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns
   • The end justifies the means

Synonyms

• guarantee
• warrantee
• warranty
• sanction
• countenance
• endorsement
• indorsement
• imprimatur
• stock warrant
• stock-purchase warrant
• justify