vindicate. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.

vindicate

SYLLABICATION:	vin·di·cate
PRONUNCIATION:	vnd-kt
TRANSITIVE VERB:	Inflected forms: vin·di·cat·ed, vin·di·cat·ing, vin·di·cates 1. To clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof: “Our society permits people to sue for libel so that they may vindicate their reputations” (Irving R. Kaufman). 2. To provide justification or support for: vindicate one's claim. 3. To justify or prove the worth of, especially in light of later developments. 4. To defend, maintain, or insist on the recognition of (one's rights, for example). 5. To exact revenge for; avenge.
ETYMOLOGY:	Latin vindicre, vindict-, from vindex, vindic-, surety, avenger. See deik- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:	vindi·cator —NOUN


The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.