Library / English Dictionary

VOUCH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give supporting evidence

Example:

He vouched his words by his deeds

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "vouch" is one way to...):

affirm; confirm; corroborate; substantiate; support; sustain (establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Summon (a vouchee) into court to warrant or defend a title

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "vouch" is one way to...):

cite; summon; summons (call in an official matter, such as to attend court)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

vouchee ((law) a person called into court to defend a title)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Give surety or assume responsibility

Example:

I vouch for the quality of my products

Synonyms:

guarantee; vouch

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "vouch" is one way to...):

pledge; plight (promise solemnly and formally)

Verb group:

assure; ensure; guarantee; insure; secure (make certain of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "vouch"):

bail (secure the release of (someone) by providing security)

stipulate (give a guarantee or promise of)

secure (assure payment of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s PP
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

voucher (someone who vouches for another or for the correctness of a statement)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Give personal assurance; guarantee

Example:

Will he vouch for me?

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "vouch" is one way to...):

attest; bear witness; take the stand; testify (give testimony in a court of law)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

voucher (someone who vouches for another or for the correctness of a statement)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Well, fetch me your portfolio, if you can vouch for its contents being original; but don't pass your word unless you are certain: I can recognise patchwork.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

She could have added, A young man, too, like you, whose very countenance may vouch for your being amiable—but she contented herself with, and one, too, who had probably been his companion from childhood, connected together, as I think you said, in the closest manner!

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Assured of the love of such a woman—the disinterested love, for Jane Fairfax's character vouches for her disinterestedness; every thing in his favour,—equality of situation—I mean, as far as regards society, and all the habits and manners that are important; equality in every point but one—and that one, since the purity of her heart is not to be doubted, such as must increase his felicity, for it will be his to bestow the only advantages she wants.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Red upon white, said Alleyne, shading his eyes; but whether roebuck or no is more than I could vouch.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The world may not like to see these ideas dissevered, for it has been accustomed to blend them; finding it convenient to make external show pass for sterling worth—to let white-washed walls vouch for clean shrines.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Mr. Bingley does not know the whole of his history, and is quite ignorant of the circumstances which have principally offended Mr. Darcy; but he will vouch for the good conduct, the probity, and honour of his friend, and is perfectly convinced that Mr. Wickham has deserved much less attention from Mr. Darcy than he has received; and I am sorry to say by his account as well as his sister's, Mr. Wickham is by no means a respectable young man.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

The blessed hour of sight, as she hath named it, has come but twice since I have known her, and I can vouch for it that all that she hath told me was true, for on the evening of the Battle of Auray she said that the morrow would be an ill day for me and for Charles of Blois.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)