document

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, precept, teaching, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin documentum official paper, from Latin, lesson, proof, from docēre to teach — more at docile Date: 15th century 1. a. archaic proof, evidence b. an original or official paper relied on as the basis, proof, or support of something c. something (as a photograph or a recording) that serves as evidence or proof 2. a. a writing conveying information b. a material substance (as a coin or stone) having on it a representation of thoughts by means of some conventional mark or symbol c. documentary 3. a computer file containing information input by a computer user and usually created with an application (as a word processor) • documental adjective II. transitive verb Date: 1711 1. to furnish documentary evidence of 2. to furnish with documents 3. a. to provide with factual or substantial support for statements made or a hypothesis proposed; especially to equip with exact references to authoritative supporting information b. (1) to construct or produce (as a movie or novel) with authentic situations or events (2) to portray realistically 4. to furnish (a ship) with ship's papers • documentable adjective • documenter noun