ratify

[ rat-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈræt əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), rat·i·fied, rat·i·fy·ing.

to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction: to ratify a constitutional amendment.
to confirm (something done or arranged by an agent or by representatives) by such action.

Origin of ratify

1325–75; Middle English ratifien < Middle French ratifier < Medieval Latin ratificāre, equivalent to Latin rat(us) calculated (see rate1) + -ificāre -ify

OTHER WORDS FROM ratify

rat·i·fi·er, noun non·rat·i·fy·ing, adjective un·rat·i·fied, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for ratify

British Dictionary definitions for ratify

ratify
/ (ˈrætɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

(tr) to give formal approval or consent to

Derived forms of ratify

ratifiable, adjective ratification, noun ratifier, noun

Word Origin for ratify

C14: via Old French from Latin ratus fixed (see rate 1) + facere to make