corroborate
UK: kəˈrɒbəreɪt | US: kəˈrɑːbəreɪt
vt. to confirm or support (a statement, theory, or finding) with evidence or authority
vt. to strengthen or make more certain
corroborate = cor<together> + robor<strength> + ate<verb suffix>
- cor (from Latin com-, meaning "together")
- robor (from Latin robur, meaning "strength" or "oak," symbolizing solidity)
- ate (verb-forming suffix indicating action)
Etymology Origin:
The word "corroborate" traces back to Latin corroborare, combining cor- (intensifying "together") and robur (strength, originally referring to oak wood as a metaphor for durability). It entered English in the 16th century, retaining the idea of "strengthening" facts or claims through collective evidence. The oak imagery subtly persists in the concept of making something unshakable.
The witness testimony corroborated the defendant's alibi.
New archaeological findings corroborate the ancient historian's account.
The data corroborates the hypothesis that climate change is accelerating.
She sought documents to corroborate her theory.
Independent studies corroborated the initial research results.