Con*firm" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Confrmed (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Confirming.]
[OE. confermen, confirmen, OF. confermer, F. confirmer, fr. L.
confirmare; con- + firmare to make firm,
fr. firmus firm. See
Firm.] 1. To make firm
or firmer; to add strength to; to establish; as, health is confirmed by exercise.
Confirm the crown to
me and to mine heirs.
Shak.
And confirmed the same unto
Jacob for a
law.
Ps. cv. 10.
2. To strengthen in judgment or purpose.
Confirmed,
then, I resolve
Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe.
Milton.
3. To give new assurance of the truth of;
to render certain; to verify; to corroborate; as, to confirm a rumor.
Your eyes shall witness and confirm my tale.
Pope.
These likelihoods confirm her flight.
Shak.
4. To render valid by formal assent; to complete by a
necessary sanction; to ratify; as,
to confirm the appoinment of an official; the Senate confirms a treaty.
That treaty so prejudicial ought to have
been remitted rather than confimed.
Swift.
5.
(Eccl.) To administer the rite of confirmation to. See Confirmation,
3.
Those which are thus confirmed are thereby supposed to be fit for admission to the sacrament.
Hammond.
Syn. -- To strengthen; corroborate; substantiate; establish; fix; ratify; settle; verify; assure.
Hear it pronounced