Etymology : Middle English, from Middle French aprover, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare to prove; more at PROVE
Pronunciation : &-prüv
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. agree, concur; confirm, endorse. approve\ap*prove"\ , v. t. [imp. & p. p. approved ; p. pr. & vb. n. approving.] [oe. aproven, appreven, to prove, of. aprover, f. approuver, to approve, fr. l. approbare; ad + probare to esteem as good, approve, prove. see:
prove, and cf. approbate.].
2. to show to be real or true; to prove. [obs.] wouldst thou approve thy constancy? approve first thy obedience.
3. to make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically. opportunities to approve worth. he had approved himself a great warrior. 't is an old lesson; time approves it true. his account approves him a man of thought.
4. to sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
5. to regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.
6. to make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance. 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. they had not approved of the deposition of james. they approved of the political institutions. black.approve \ap*prove"\ (ăp*pr&oomac;v"), v. t. [of. aprouer; a (l. ad) + a form apparently derived fr. the pro, prod, in l. prodest it is useful or profitable, properly the preposition pro for. cf. improve.] (eng. 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.approve v.
7. give sanction to; "i approve of his educational policies" [syn: ok, okay, sanction] [ant: disapprove].
8. judge to be right or commendable; think well of [ant: disapprove].
9. To show to be real or true; to prove.
10. To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
11. To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
12. To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.
13. To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
14. 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. judge to be right or commendable; think well of give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies".
15. 1. If you approve of an action, event, or suggestion, you like it or are pleased about it. Not everyone approves of the festival.
16. If you approve of someone or something, you like and admire them. You've never approved of Henry, have you?.
17. If someone in a position of authority approves a plan or idea, they formally agree to it and say that it can happen. The Russian Parliament has approved a program of radical economic reforms = sanction see also:
approved, approving.