imprimatur
noun

- official permission to do something that is given by a person or group in a position of power

- license or permission to publish or print a book, article, etc.

The Cambridge Dictionary / Collins Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The word "imprimatur" comes from the Latin word imprimere, which means "to imprint" or "to impress”. It was originally used to refer to the official authorisation to print a book.

Here’s the timeline:

1640: The word imprimatur first appears in English in the writing of Edward Dering, an antiquary and religious controversialist.

17th century: The word imprimatur is used to refer to the official authorisation to print a book in both secular and religious contexts.

18th century to date: The word imprimatur begins to be used more broadly to refer to any form of official approval or endorsement, as in:

“The new scientific theory received the imprimatur of the leading scientific journal.”

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THE EMPIRE OF FAKE DIPLOMAS
Inside a Global Degree Scam

Behind more than 370 slick educational websites lies the massive fake degree enterprise of Pakistani software company Axact. It earns millions of dollars yearly by methodically scamming aspiring professionals and students worldwide through elaborate online facades.

Axact constructs an illusion of legitimacy with fake accreditation bodies, testimonials, and the imprimatur of State Department seals bearing John Kerry's signature. Sales agents convince customers to hand over cash for degrees with no true value and revenues flow to Pakistan through a complex array of offshore companies.

In Karachi, Axact employees work around the clock in call center style conditions. Former insiders reveal how the operation preys systematically on the hopes of customers seeking career advancement or higher education.

But authorities have caught on to the scam, which demonstrates the dark side of booming online education. As internet degrees proliferate, so do diploma mills ready to cash in. "It's breathtaking", says a former FBI agent investigating Axact's empire built on mirage.

Axact denies the accusations and soon the company will launch Bol, a broadcast venture bankrolled by revenue from false degrees. While Pakistan sees Axact as a model corporate citizen, its educational offerings look increasingly like high-tech fraud.

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SYNONYMS

acceptance, accredit, adoption, advocacy, affirmation, agreement, approbation, approval, assent, aye, backing, blessing, certify, championing, commendation, confirmation, consent, countersignature, encouragement, endorse, espousal, favour, fiat, formalization, go ahead, green light, IMPRIMATUR, leave, nod, o.k. or okay, pat on the back, permission, promotion, qualification, ratification, recommendation, sanction, seal or stamp of approval, second, support, thumbs up, validation, vouch for, warrant

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“Although the film ‘Napoleon’ has received the IMPRIMATUR of many critics, I’m not sure about its historical accuracy.”

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