validation
/ˌvælɪˈdeɪʃən/
noun
Origin
Latin
validare — to make strong or valid
Overview
Meaning Now
- The action of checking or proving the validity or accuracy of something.
- Recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile.
Literal older meaning
The act of making something strong or valid.
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
validation
Earliest period
late 16th century
Journey
The term stems from the Latin 'valere', which is the same root found in 'value', 'valiant', and 'prevail'. It reflects a shift from the physical sense of being strong to the legal and logical sense of being factually or officially sound.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*wal-
“to be strong”
- Latin
validus
“strong, powerful, effective”
- Late Latin
validare
“to make strong, to fortify”
- Middle French
validation
“the act of validating”
- English, 16th century
validation
“the action of confirming”
Connections
Word parts
valid
root
strong
-ate
suffix
verb-forming suffix
-ion
suffix
noun-forming suffix denoting action
Related across languages
French
validation
Spanish
validación
validation
Explore next
Related to validation
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.