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Webster 1913 Edition


Approbation

Apˊpro-ba′tion

,
Noun.
[L.
approbatio
: cf. F.
approbation
. See
Approve
to prove.]
1.
Proof; attestation.
[Obs.]
Shak.
2.
The act of approving; an assenting to the propriety of a thing with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; approval; sanction; commendation.
Many . . . joined in a loud hum of
approbation
.
Macaulay.
The silent
approbation
of one’s own breast.
Melmoth.
Animals . . . love
approbation
or praise.
Darwin.
3.
Probation or novitiate.
[Obs.]
This day my sister should the cloister enter,
And there receive her
approbation
.
Shakespeare
Syn. – Approval; liking; sanction; consent; concurrence.
Approbation
,
Approval
. Approbation and approval have the same general meaning, assenting to or declaring as good, sanction, commendation; but approbation is stronger and more positive. “We may be anxious for the approbation of our friends; but we should be still more anxious for the approval of our own consciences.” “He who is desirous to obtain universal approbation will learn a good lesson from the fable of the old man and his ass.” “The work has been examined by several excellent judges, who have expressed their unqualified approval of its plan and execution.”

Webster 1828 Edition


Approbation

APPROBA'TION

,
Noun.
[L. approbatio. See Proof and Prove.]
1.
The act of approving; a liking; that state or disposition of the mind, in which we assent to the propriety of a thing, with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; as, the laws of God require our approbation.
2.
Attestation; support; that is, active approbation, or action in favor of what is approved.
3.
The commendation of a book licensed or permitted to be published by authority, as was formerly the case in England.

Definition 2024


approbation

approbation

English

Noun

approbation (plural approbations)

  1. The act of approving; an assenting to the propriety of a thing with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; approval, sanction, commendation or official recognition
    • (Can we date this quote?) Thomas Babington Macaulay
      Many...joined in a loud hum of approbation.
    • (Can we date this quote?) William Melmoth
      The silent approbation of one's own breast.
    • 1871, Charles Darwin, Descent of Man, ch. 3:
      [A]nimals not only love, but have desire to be loved. . . . They love approbation or praise.

Usage notes

  • Approbation and approval have the same general meaning, assenting to or declaring as good, sanction, commendation; but approbation is stronger and more positive. We may be anxious for the approbation of our friends; but we should be still more anxious for the approval of our own consciences. He who is desirous to obtain universal approbation will learn a good lesson from the fable of the old man and his ass. The work has been examined by several excellent judges, who have expressed their unqualified approval of its plan and execution.
    (material dates from 1913)

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French

Pronunciation

Noun

approbation f (plural approbations)

  1. approval (permission)

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