What is "imprimatur"

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.

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.

3. Hence: Official approval for some proposed activity; as, a contract this large needs the imprimatur of the legal department.

1640, Modern Latin, literally "let it be printed," the formula of a book licenser, third person singular present subjunctive passive of Latin imprimere "to print" (see impress). Originally of state license to print books, later only of Roman Catholic Church.

n. 1 (label en printing) An official license to publish or print something, especially when censorship applies. 2 (context by extension English) Any mark of official approval.

n. formal and explicit approval; "a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement" [syn: sanction, countenance, endorsement, indorsement, warrant]

An imprimatur (from Latin, "let it be printed") is, in the proper sense, a declaration authorizing publication of a book. The term is also applied loosely to any mark of approval or endorsement.

In philately the word imprimatur refers to the first stamps printed from an approved and finished printing plate.

The term is particularly associated with British Victorian stamps as it was the practice of the printers to retain the first sheet as a record.

The word is from the Latin "let it be printed".

Imprimatur is the title of an Italian historical novel, written by Rita Monaldi and Francesco Sorti. It was originally published in Italy in 2002; since when it has been translated into twenty languages, and sold a million copies worldwide. It is the first in a series of books based around the principal character of the 17th century diplomat and spy, Atto Melani.