Warrant

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

to give a guaranty to; to authorize; to give power or authority to, as to do or forbear anything, by which the person authorized is secured or held harmless from any loss, damage, or detriment by such act; as, these thoughts cannot warrant you from suspicion in others. To declare with assurance or confident anticipation; as, I warrant he who is born to be hanged will never be drowned. To justify; to maintain, mai support, or verify by authority, proof, or evidence; as, one is warranted in assuming this to be a fact. In law, to assure; to secure to, as a grant to a guarantee. To secure, as the valid title of goods to a purchaser; or, to provide_indemnification in the event of loss. To guarantee to a purchaser the quality or quantity of goods or articles sold, as being equal to that which they are represented to be; as warranted Sheffield cutlery. An act, instrument, or obligation, by which one person authorizes another to do something which he has not otherwise a right to do; an act or commission investing one with a certain right, power, or authority, and thus securing him from loss, damage, or detriment; anything which warrants, authorizes, or justifies the doing of; as, the breaking of rules by others is no warrant for our doing so likewise. That which serves as guaranty, security, or assurance for anything; as, his word alone is sufficient warrant. A voucher; that supplies proof or attestatation; as, a pretender to piety backs his imposture by Scriptural warrant. A writing or document which empowers a person to receive money, goods, or other thing or things; as, a warrant for the transfer of bonded spirits. In criminal law, the authority issued by a justice of the peace for the apprehension of some one. The warrant should be under hand and seal of the justice; should set forth the time and place of making it, and the cause for which it is made; and should name the person against whom it is granted. It is good for the county in which it is issued, but cannot be enforced in another without being backed by a justice of that county. The officer is justified in apprehending the party at any time, and even in breaking open the doors of a house in pursuit of him.