Ăp'pro-bā'tion, n.

n. [Fr. approbation, Lat. approbatio. See APPROVE.]

1. The act of approving; an assenting to the propriety of a thing with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; approval; support; as, the laws of God require our approbation. “The silent approbation of one's own breast.” Melmoth.
2. Proof; indubitable evidence. [Obs.] Shak.
3. Probation or novitiate. [Obs.]

This day my sister should the cloister enter, And there receive her approbation. Shak. Syn. — Approval; liking; sanction; consent; concurrence. — APPROBATION, APPROVAL. Approbation is a state; approval is an act. The former denotes the feeling awakened in the mind; as, the approbation of one's conscience, the approbation of the wise. The latter denotes the sentence or decision by which the mind approves; as, the plan received the approval of the committee; his conduct merits the approval of the world at large. “We may be anxious for the approbation of our friends; but we should be still more anxious for the approval of our own consciences.” “He who is desirous to obtain universal approbation will learn a good lesson from the fable of the old man and his ass.” “The work has been examined by several excellent judges, who have expressed their unqualified approval of its plan and execution.”