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

While throughout the world you rove, Thus uphold your banners; Give these reasons why you prove Hearts of men and manners: "To reprove the reprobate, Probity approving, Improbate from approbate To remove, I'm moving."

From Wine, Women, and Song Mediaeval Latin Students' songs; Now first translated into English verse by Symonds, John Addington

Alan?' said my father—'Would you approbate and reprobate, sir?

From Redgauntlet by Scott, Walter, Sir

The Stadtholder was too wary a politician to approbate immediately so sweeping a proposal, and referred it to the States-General.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11 by Johnson, Rossiter

But says Vox Populi, perhaps the new plan will not have the same number to approbate it, that the constitution of this State had.

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