approve

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /əˈpɹuːv/, SAMPA: /@"pru:v/

  Rhymes: -uːv

• (WEAE) IPA: /ʌˈpɹuv/, SAMPA: /V"pruv/

[edit] Etymology 1

Middle English aproven, appreven (“‘to prove’”), Old French aprover, French approuver (“‘to approve’”), from Latin approbō, from ad + probō (“‘to esteem as good, approve, prove’”). Compare prove, approbate.

[edit] Verb

to 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.

   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) To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
   • Ralph Waldo Emerson,

     Opportunities to approve . . . worth.

   • Thomas Babington Macaulay,

     He had approved himself a great warrior.

   • George Gordon Byron,

     'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true.

   • Francis Parkman,

     His account . . . approves him a man of thought.

4. (intransitive) To consider or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
   • Henry Rogers,

     The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God.

   Note: This word, when it signifies to be pleased with, to think favorably (of), is often followed by of.

   • Thomas Babington Macaulay,

     They had not approved of the deposition of James.

   • William Black,

     They approved of the political institutions.

[edit] Derived terms

• approval
• approvable
• approvably
• approbation

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

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

[edit] Verb

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

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

[edit] References

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