Con`fir*ma"tion (?), n.
[F. confirmation,
L. confirmatio.]
1. The act of
confirming or strengthening; the act of establishing, ratifying, or sanctioning; as, the confirmation of an appointment.
Their blood is shed
In
confirmation of the noblest claim.
Cowper.
2. That which confirms; that which gives new strength or assurance; as to a statement or belief; additional evidence; proof; convincing
testimony.
Trifles light as air
Are to
the jealous
confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ.
Shak.
3. (Eccl.) A rite supplemental to baptism, by which a person is admitted, through the laying on
of the hands of a bishop, to the full
privileges of the church, as in
the Roman Catholic, the Episcopal Church,
etc.
This ordinance is called confirmation, because they who duly receive it are confirmed or strengthened for the fulfillment of their Christian duties, by the grace
therein bestowed upon them.
Hook.
4. (Law) A conveyance by which a voidable estate is made sure
and not voidable, or by which a particular estate is increased; a contract, express or implied, by which a person makes that firm and binding which was before voidable.
Hear it pronounced