no·ta·ry public /'nō-tə-rē-/ n pl no·ta·ries public or notary publics [Latin notarius stenographer, from nota note, shorthand character]: a public officer who certifies and attests to the authenticity of writings (as deeds) and takes affidavits, depositions, and protests of negotiable instruments – called also notary;
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.