approbate

American  

[ap-ruh-beyt] / ˈæp rəˌbeɪt /

verb (used with object)

approbated, approbating

1. to approve officially.

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approbate British  

/ ˈæprəˌbeɪt /

verb

1. Scots law to accept as valid

2. Scots law to accept part of a document and reject those parts unfavourable to one's interests

3. to sanction officially

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Other Word Forms

• approbator
  noun

Etymology

Origin of approbate

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin approbātus approved (past participle of approbāre ), equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + probātus proved; see probate

Example Sentences

Not that he would approbate the system of slavery; for he was, and in fact had been through life, its most determined foe.

From Life and Public Services of John Quincy Adams Sixth President of the Unied States by Seward, William Henry

Then if cunning Latin books were translate Into English, well correct and approbate, All subtle science in English might be learned, As well as other people in their own tongues did.

From A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1 by Hazlitt, William Carew

This is so congenial with the constitution of our own state, that I need not advance any argument to induce the free citizens of Massachusetts to approbate it.

From Essays on the Constitution of the United States by Ford, Paul Leicester

I approbate domestic factories, but nothin' further for us.

From The Clockmaker Or, the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick, of Slickville by Haliburton, Thomas Chandler

I approbate domestic factories, but nothin further for us.

From The Clockmaker — or, the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick, of Slickville by Haliburton, Thomas Chandler