The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Confirm \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.
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Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs. --Shak.
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And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law. --Ps.
cv. 10.
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2. To strengthen in judgment or purpose.
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Confirmed, then, I resolve
Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe. --Milton.
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3. To give new assurance of the truth of; to render certain;
to verify; to corroborate; as, to confirm a rumor.
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Your eyes shall witness and confirm my tale. --Pope.
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These likelihoods confirm her flight. --Shak.
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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.
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That treaty so prejudicial ought to have been
remitted rather than confimed. --Swift.
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5. (Eccl.) To administer the rite of confirmation to. See
Confirmation, 3.
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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.
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