identification

Etymology

From French identification.

noun

1. (strictly) The act of identifying (i.e., which one, which thing).
   In IP protocol, after identification comes authentication.
2. (broadly, often) The combination of identifying (which one, which thing) and validating the identity (proving or confirming it); identifying and authenticating viewed as a unitary concept in cognition.
   Much education and experience is required for proper identification of bird species.
3. The state of being identified.
   The problem's identification was the first step toward dealing with it.
4. (countable) A particular instance of identifying something.
   information necessary to make a good identification
5. A document or documents serving as evidence of a person's identity.
   The authorities asked for his identification.
6. A feeling of support, sympathy, understanding, or belonging towards somebody or something.
   identification with the tribe
   In the English South and Midlands, identification with Britain ran well ahead of identification with the region; in Yorkshire and the northern England, identification with the region ran about equal to identification with Britain; and in Scotland and Wales (but more especially in Scotland) identification with the region ('Scotland' or 'Wales') ran well ahead of identification with Britain. 1998, Hugh Berrington, Britain in the nineties, page 192