endorse
Meaning
to declare one's public approval or support of something or someone.
to sign one's name on the back of a cheque or other document to make it payable to someone else or to accept its validity.
Structure
Usage
the celebrity refused to endorse the political candidate.
you must endorse the cheque before you can deposit it.
the committee voted to endorse the new policy proposal.
Etymology
the word 'endorse' originates from the medieval latin term indorsare, which itself is a compound of the latin prefix in- (meaning 'on') and dorsum (meaning 'back'). this literal sense of 'writing on the back' of a document was the original meaning, specifically referring to signing a cheque or legal paper on its reverse side. over time, this tangible act of putting one's name on the back as a sign of authorization evolved metaphorically. the modern, more abstract meaning of expressing public support or approval stems from this idea of backing something with one's name and reputation, as if signing it.
Analysis
en- (prefix of latin origin, meaning 'in, on, into'); dors (root from latin dorsum, meaning 'back').