— justifier , n. — justifyingly , adv.
/jus"teuh fuy'/ , v. , justified, justifying .
v.t.
1. to show (an act, claim, statement, etc.) to be just or right: The end does not always justify the means.
2. to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded: Don't try to justify his rudeness.
3. Theol. to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit.
4. Print.
a. to make (a line of type) a desired length by spacing the words and letters, esp. so that full lines in a column have even margins both on the left and on the right.
b. to level and square (a strike).
v.i.
5. Law.
a. to show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done.
b. to qualify as bail or surety.
6. Print. (of a line of type) to fit exactly into a desired length.
[ 1250-1300; ME justifien justifier justificare, equiv. to L justi- (comb. form of justus JUST 1 ) + -ficare -FY ]
Syn. 1. vindicate; validate. 2. excuse.