The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Certificate \Cer*tif"i*cate\, n. [F. certificat, fr. LL.
   certificatus made certain, p. p. of certificare. See tify.]
   1. A written testimony to the truth of any fact; as,
      certificate of good behavior.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A written declaration legally authenticated.
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   Trial by certificate, a trial which the testimony of the
      person certifying is the only proper criterion of the
      point in dispute; as, when the issue is whether a person
      was absent in the army, this is tried by the certificate
      of the proper officer in writing, under his seal.
      --Blackstone.
      [1913 Webster]