approbate

[ ap-ruh-beyt ]
/ ˈæp rəˌbeɪt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR approbate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ap·pro·bat·ed, ap·pro·bat·ing.

to approve officially.

Origin of approbate

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

OTHER WORDS FROM approbate

ap·pro·ba·tor, noun

Words nearby approbate

appro, approach, approach light, approach shot, approachable, approbate, approbation, approbative, appropriable, appropriacy, appropriate

Words related to approbate

authorize, okay, confirm, consent, clear, sanction, accept, allow, pass, support, approve, endorse, OK

Example sentences from the Web for approbate

  • We pick and choose, take and leave, approbate and reprobate in a breath.

    Obiter Dicta |Augustine Birrell

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

    The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11 |Various

  • Among the adjectives similarly preserved are to whittle, to wilt and to approbate.

    The American Language |Henry L. Mencken

British Dictionary definitions for approbate

approbate
/ (ˈæprəˌbeɪt) /

verb (tr)

Scots law to accept as valid
approbate and reprobate Scots law to accept part of a document and reject those parts unfavourable to one's interests
mainly US to sanction officially

Word Origin for approbate

C15: from Latin approbāre to approve, from probāre to test