I. əˈprüv also aˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English approven, aproven, from Old French aprover, from Latin approbare to approve, prove, from ad- + probare to approve, prove — more at prove
transitive verb
1.
a. obsolete : to demonstrate the truth or correctness of : establish as fact or as being sound
b. archaic : corroborate , authenticate
c. obsolete : convict
approved in this offense — Shakespeare
2. obsolete
a. : test , try
b. : experience
3. archaic
a. : to make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance — used reflexively with to
the first care and concern must be to approve himself to God — John Rogers
b. : to offer proof of by active demonstration : manifest or display actually or practically : exhibit
his behavior under fire approved him a man of courage
4. : to judge and find commendable or acceptable : think well of : have or express a favorable opinion or judgment of
a friend, whom he liked, but whose conduct he could not approve — Osbert Sitwell
Jane secretly approved his discernment — Rose Macaulay
5.
a. : to express often formally agreement with and support of or commendation of as meeting a standard
the governor approved the project
one of the first hospitals in the state to be approved by the organization
b. : to vote into effect : pass formally
the legislature approved the bill
intransitive verb
: to have or express a favorable opinion : judge favorably — usually used with of
she wants to teach him not to fight; she doesn't approve of fighting — Margaret Mead
Synonyms:
sanction , endorse , accredit , certify : approve applies to a feeling or expression of commendation or of agreement with, but it may suggest a judicious attitude involved
fools admire, but men of wits approve — Joseph Furphey
the discomfiture … of doing, as he must, what he did not fully approve — J.G.Cozzens
sanction adds to approve notions of permission, countenancing, authorization, encouragement by something or someone in an authoritative position
the court has also sanctioned recently some federal efforts to protect Negroes in the South from violence — Alan Barth
“Come! Give me your authority … For his daughter's sake …” “In her name, then, let it be done; I sanction it” — Charles Dickens
endorse or indorse (see note at endorse ) suggests vouching for, supporting, or explicitly expressing approval of and is often used in reference to things needing promotion or publicity
the Kentucky Republicans endorsed him for the presidential nomination — E.M.Coulter
the view that increasing money wages is the only road to permanent prosperity has in recent years been endorsed by many business leaders — Fortune
accredit is likely to indicate an approved status confirmed by some authoritative force or conformity to a standard officially vouched for
few of us think of turning to the dictionary before writing a sentence to see if all the words we propose to use are properly accredited in the language — M.M.Mathews
institutions not accredited by a regional association — Bulletin of Bates College
certify is often a close synonym for accredit; it may stress a formal act of writing or attesting to conformity with a standard or to being as represented
labels by which brain merit is advertised and certified — medals, honors, degrees — Virginia Woolf
the nearly two billion that these utilities have had certified for rapid tax write-off — New Republic
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English approven, aproven, approuen, aprouen, from Middle French aprouer to cause to profit, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad- ) + -prouer (from prou profit, advantage) — more at prow
: to enclose or appropriate (wasteland or common land) for one's own benefit (as permitted especially to the lord of a manor in English law before the Enclosure acts)