■ verb
1》 establish the truth or correctness of.
↘state with assurance that something is true.
↘( ~ someone in ) reinforce someone in (an opinion or feeling).
2》 make (a provisional arrangement) definite.
↘formally declare that (someone) is appointed to a post.
3》 administer the religious rite of ~ation to.
Derivatives
~ative adjective
~atory adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. confermer , from L. ~are , from con- 'together' + firmare 'strengthen' (from firmus 'firm').