Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sanction
Sanc′tion
,Noun.
[L.
sanctio
, from sancire
, sanctum
to render sacred or inviolable, to fix unalterably: cf. F. sanction
. See Saint
.] 1.
Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by giving authority to it; confirmation; approbation.
The strictest professors of reason have added the
sanction
of their testimony. I. Watts.
2.
Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another;
as, legal
. sanctions
Syn. – Ratification; authorization; authority; countenance; support.
Sanc′tion
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Sanctioned
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Sanctioning
.] To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.
Would have counseled, or even
sanctioned
, such perilous experiments. De Quincey.
Syn. – To ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sanction
SANC'TION
,Noun.
1.
Ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body. A treaty is not valid without the sanction of the president and senate.2.
Authority; confirmation derived from testimony, character, influence or custom.The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony.
3.
A law or decree. [Improper.]SANC'TION
,Verb.
T.