1.
[syn: sanction, countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Imprimatur \Im`pri*ma"tur\, n. [L., let it be printed.]
1. (Law) A license to print or publish a book, paper, etc.;
also, in countries subjected to the censorship of the
press, approval of that which is published.
[1913 Webster]
2. (R. C. Ch.) Permission granted from a designated
eccliastical authority to publish a book or other
document; -- required by church law for Catholics,
especially ecclesiastics, who wish to publish.
[PJC]
3. Hence: Official approval for some proposed activity; as, a
contract this large needs the imprimatur of the legal
department.
[PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
imprimatur
n 1: formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the
union's endorsement" [syn: sanction, countenance,
endorsement, indorsement, warrant, imprimatur]