n. & v.
n. 1 approval or encouragement given to an action etc. by custom or tradition; express permission. 2 confirmation or ratification of a law etc. 3 a a penalty for disobeying a law or rule, or a reward for obeying it. b a clause containing this. 4 Ethics a consideration operating to enforce obedience to any rule of conduct. 5 (esp. in pl.) military or esp. economic action by a State to coerce another to conform to an international agreement or norms of conduct. 6 Law hist. a law or decree.
v.tr. 1 authorize, countenance, or agree to (an action etc.). 2 ratify; attach a penalty or reward to; make binding. sanctionable adj.
[ F f. L sanctio -onis f. sancire sanct- make sacred ]