Ap*prove" (ăp*pr&oomac;v"), v. t. [OF. aprouer; a (L. ad)
+ a form apparently derived fr. the
pro, prod, in L. prodest it is useful
or profitable, properly the preposition pro for. Cf. Improve.]
(Eng. Law) To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit; -- said esp. of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor.
Ap*prove" (&?;), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Approved (&?;);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Approving.]
[OE. aproven,
appreven, to prove, OF. aprover, F.
approuver, to approve,
fr. L. approbare; ad +
probare to esteem as good, approve, prove. See Prove, and cf. Approbate.]
1. To show
to be real or true; to prove. [Obs.]
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? Approve
First thy obedience.
Milton.
2. To make proof
of; to demonstrate; to prove or show
practically.
Opportunities to approve . . . worth.
Emerson.
He had approved himself a great warrior.
Macaulay.
'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true.
Byron.
His account . . . approves him a man of thought.
Parkman.
3. To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
4. To regard as
good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.
5. To make or show
to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God.
Rogers.
&fist; This word, when it signifies to be pleased
with, to think favorably (of), is often followed by of.
They had not
approved of the deposition of James.
Macaulay.
They
approved of the political institutions.
W. Black.
Hear it pronounced