imprimatur
Authority's green light
An imprimatur is official approval or sanction.
Originally a license granted by the Catholic Church permitting a book to be printed, certifying it contained nothing contrary to doctrine.
The meaning has broadened to any authoritative endorsement: The project received the CEO's imprimatur.
The word suggests legitimacy conferred from above—without the imprimatur, something lacks official standing.
Formal expression of support
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- consentVoluntary agreement given
ratification · validation · confirmation · acceptance · assent · acquiescence · concurrence · accreditation
Relating to church matters
- bishopDiocesan clergy head
- churchPlace of Christian worship
- VaticanPapal city-state
- papalof the pontiff
censor · official · institutional · hierarchical · diocesan · canonical · Holy See · archbishop
Issued written material
- colophonBook's production statement
- frontispieceBook's introductory illustration
- title pageBook's identifying front page
- copyrightExclusive reproduction rights
manuscript · editor · typesetting · press · edition · volume · book · censorship
endorsement
Formal expression of support
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- authorizationFormal permission granted
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
consent · ratification · validation · confirmation · acceptance · assent · acquiescence · concurrence · accreditation · recognition
ecclesiastical
Relating to church matters
papal · censor · official · institutional · hierarchical · diocesan · canonical · Holy See · archbishop
publication
Issued written material
- colophonBook's production statement
- frontispieceBook's introductory illustration
- title pageBook's identifying front page
copyright · manuscript · editor · typesetting · press · edition · volume · book · censorship
- Catholic ChurchVatican, papacy, cardinals, popes, papal
- praiselauding, compliments, laudation, accolades, great job
- Catholic BibleNew Testament, Old Testament, Gospels, Pentateuch, historical books
- printing historyGutenberg, typographers, Gutenberg press, letterpress, Johannes Gutenberg
- Catholic BiblesCatholic Bible
- papal authoritypapal infallibility, papal authority, ex cathedra, papal supremacy, Holy See
imprimaturrejection
Denial of acceptance
condemnation · disapproval · prohibition · ban · censure
imprimaturveto
Official refusal to approve
refusal · prohibition · interdiction · proscription · embargo
impress, printer, printing, impression, imprint, printable, imprinted, imprinting, unimprinted