Corroborate
/kəˈrɒbəreɪt/noun
To confirm or strengthen a statement, theory, or finding with evidence.
Did you know?Corroborate comes from Latin cor- (“together”) + robur (“oak, strength”), so its oldest vibe is literally about giving a claim the strength of oakwood.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reudh-
“to be red, strong, or sturdy (source of Latin robur through an old wood name)”
Latin
Latin
robur
“oak; strength, hardness”
Late Latin
Latin
corroborare
“to strengthen greatly, confirm”
Old French
Old French
corroborer
“to strengthen, confirm”
14th Century
English
corroboraten
“to strengthen, support with evidence”
Modern English
English
corroborate
“to confirm or back up with proof”