The word "vindicate" is spelled V-I-N-D-I-C-A-T-E. According to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), the pronunciation of "vindicate" is /ˈvɪndəkeɪt/. The first syllable, "vin," is pronounced with a short "i" sound, like "ih". The second syllable, "di," is also pronounced with a short "i" sound. The accent is on the second syllable. The final syllable, "cate," is pronounced with a long "a" sound, like "ay". "Vindicate" means to clear someone of blame or suspicion, or to show that a belief or action is justified.
Vindicate, as a verb, refers to the act of justifying, defending, or proving someone or something to be innocent, rightful, or correct, particularly in the face of doubt, criticism, or accusation. It involves providing evidence or arguments that support or confirm the truth, validity, or credibility of a person, an idea, a belief, or an action.
When individuals or organizations are accused of wrongdoing or false claims, they may seek to vindicate themselves by presenting evidence, testimonies, or other forms of proof to exonerate themselves. Vindication is often pursued in various contexts, including legal proceedings, when someone is charged with a crime, aiming to prove their innocence or establish mitigating circumstances.
Moreover, vindicate can also refer to seeking or obtaining justice for someone or something that has been wronged or harmed. In this sense, it implies the act of restoring justice, fairness, or retribution by providing evidence of the wrongdoing, holding the responsible parties accountable, or ensuring that the wrong is corrected.
The word "vindicate" is often associated with establishing the truth, defending one's reputation, protecting one's rights, or rectifying past injustices. It can also connote the act of validating or proving the accuracy or effectiveness of a theory, idea, or claim through research, experimentation, or logical reasoning.
In summary, the term "vindicate" encompasses the act of providing evidence, arguments, or support to justify, defend, or prove the innocence, validity, justice, or correctness of someone or something. It involves vindicating oneself against false accusations or seeking justice and redress for wrongs committed.
To justify; to maintain as true and correct against denial or censure; to assert; to prove to be just; to defend with arms; to clear.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "vindicate" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin verb "vindicāre", which means "to lay claim to, to avenge, or to set free". This verb is derived from the Latin noun "vindex", meaning "protector" or "avenger". The word "vindicāre" was adopted into Late Latin and Old French, retaining its original sense of asserting a claim or pursuing justice. Eventually, it entered Middle English as "vindicate" during the 15th century, with the meaning of "to clear from blame or suspicion" or "to defend or maintain a right".