approve

English

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Middle English aproven, appreoven, appreven, apreven, borrowed from Old French aprover, approver, approuvir, appreuver (“to approve”), from Latin approbō, from ad + probō (“to esteem as good, approve, prove”). Compare prove, approbate.

Verb

approve (third-person singular simple present approves, present participle approving, simple past and past participle approved)

  1. (transitive) To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm.
    • 2013 August 10, “Can China clean up fast enough?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:
      It has jailed environmental activists and is planning to limit the power of judicial oversight by handing a state-approved body a monopoly over bringing environmental lawsuits.
    Although we may disagree with it, we must nevertheless approve the sentence handed down by the court-martial.
  2. (transitive) To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of.
    We approve the measure of the administration, for it is an excellent decision.
  3. (transitive, archaic) To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
  4. (intransitive) To consider or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
    • (Can we date this quote?) Henry Rogers,
      The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God.
    • (Can we date this quote?) Thomas Babington Macaulay,
      They had not approved of the deposition of James.
    • (Can we date this quote?) William Black,
      They approved of the political institutions.
    Note: This word, when it signifies to be pleased with, to think favorably (of), is often followed by of.
Derived terms
Translations
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Etymology 2

Old French aprouer; a- + a form apparently derived from the pro, prod, in Latin prōsum (“be useful or profitable”). Compare with improve.

Verb

approve (third-person singular simple present approves, present participle approving, simple past and past participle approved)

  1. (transitive, law, English law) To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit — said especially of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor.

References
  • approve in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
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