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; probate

Example Sentences

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

From Redgauntlet by Scott, Walter, Sir

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 the one, I reprobate the other.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

Gracious knows, I don't approbate coarseness, it shocks me, but narvous sensibility makes me sick.

From Nature and Human Nature by Haliburton, Thomas Chandler

Aceldama   A place with dreadful associations. animadversion   Strong criticism. approbate   Sanction officially; authorize. arbitrament   Arbitrating; arbitration.

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