Ap-prōv', v. t.
(-prōōv'), v. t. [imp. & p. p. APPROVED; p. pr. & vb. n. APPROVING.] [Fr. approuver, Pr. aprobar, aproar, Lat. approbare, from ad and probare, to esteem as good, to approve, to prove, from probus, good, excellent.]
Sense 1. To be pleased with; to think well of; to admit the propriety or excellence of; as, we approve the measures of administration; an approved writer.
Sense 2. To prove; to confirm. [Obs. or rare.]
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? Approve First thy obedience. Milton.
'Tis an old lesson; Time approves it true. Byron.
Sense 3. To prove by trial; to convict by proof. “He that is approved in this offense.” [Obs.] Shak.
Sense 4. To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance; to commend.
The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God. Rogers.
Sense 5. (Law.) To improve by increasing the value or profits of. Blackstone.
Sense 6. To sanction officially; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
☞ This word, when it signifies to be pleased, is often followed by of, in which use it is intransitive; as, I approve of the measure. But the tendency of modern usage is to omit of; as, I approve the measure.