endorse
/ɪnˈdoɹs/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.63 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To express support or approval, especially officially or publicly; to give an endorsement.
Transitive verb
verb
To write one's signature on the back of a cheque, or other negotiable instrument, when transferring it to a third party, or cashing it.
Transitive verb
Example Sentences
- "The president endorsed John Smith as senator."
- "The court endorsed his driving record with three penalty points for the drink-driving."
- "The writ of summons was endorsed with the nature of a claim, the cause thereof, and of the relief sought in the action."
- "On 25th January, 1968, Mrs. Weston was convicted by the Sheffield Magistrates of driving without due care and attention. She was fined £10 and her driving licence was endorsed."
Etymology
Alteration influenced by Medieval Latin indorsare of Middle English endosse, from Old French endosser (“to put on the back”), from Latin dossum, alternative form of dorsum (“back”), from which also dorsal (“of the back”). That is, the ‘r’ was dropped in Latin dossum, which developed into Old French and then Middle English endosse, and then the ‘r’ was re-introduced into English via the Medieval Latin indorsare, which had retained the ‘r’. Note that the alternative spelling indorse also uses the initial ‘i’ from Latin (in-, rather than en-), but this form is now rare.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: indorso, endosse, endosser, dossum, indorsare
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ɪnˈdoɹs/
- British English: /ɪnˈdɔːs/
Usage
- Transitive verb
- British usage