D defs.my
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Entry 3 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Sanction

/săng'-kshən/ · Sanc·tion · IPA /ˈsæŋkʃ(ə)n/
01 n. Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person o…
  1. 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. 2.
    Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions.
Syn. Ratification; authorization; authority; countenance; support.
02 v. t. To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.
imp. & p. p. Sanctioned; p. pr. & vb. n. Sanctioning
  1. 1.
    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.