authentication

Meanings

1. Something which validates or confirms the authenticity of something; or the process of doing so.
2. Proof of identity required by a user to log on to some network or access some resource.
3. A hallmark or assay-mark on a piece of metalwork.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewder.? Proto-Indo-European *sóder.? Proto-Indo-European *h₂ewder. Ancient Greek αὖ (aû) Ancient Greek τόν (tón)? Ancient Greek αὐτός (autós) Ancient Greek αὐτο- (auto-) Proto-Indo-European *senh₂-der. Ancient Greek *ἕντης (*héntēs) Proto-Indo-European *-tósder. Ancient Greek -της (-tēs) Ancient Greek αὐθέντης (authéntēs) Ancient Greek -ῐκός (-ĭkós) Ancient Greek αὐθεντῐκός (authentĭkós)bor. Medieval Latin authenticus Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Medieval Latin -ō Medieval Latin authenticōbor. English authenticate Proto-Indo-European *-tis Proto-Indo-European *-Hō Proto-Indo-European *-tiHō Proto-Italic *-tiō Latin -tiō Latin -ātiōlbor. Old French -ationbor. Middle English -acioun English -ation English authentication From authenticate + -ation.