approving

Noun · Adjective

Synonyms: blessing approval affirmative approbative approbatory plausive

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

the formal act of approving“he gave the project his blessing”“his decision merited the approval of any sensible person”Synonyms: blessing approval

Adjective (1)

expressing or manifesting praise or approval“approbative criticism”“an affirmative nod”Synonyms: affirmative approbative approbatory plausive

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Approving \Ap*prov"ing\, a. Expressing approbation; commending; as, an approving smile. -- Ap*prov"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

Approve \Ap*prove"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Approved; p. pr. & vb. n. Approving.] [OE. aproven, appreven, to prove, OF. aprover, F. approuver, to approve, fr. L. approbare; ad + probare to esteem as good, approve, prove. See Prove, and cf. Approbate.]

1.To show to be real or true; to prove. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? Approve First thy obedience.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically. [1913 Webster]

Opportunities to approve . . . worth.— Emerson.[1913 Webster]

He had approved himself a great warrior.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true.— Byron.[1913 Webster]

His account . . . approves him a man of thought.— Parkman.[1913 Webster]

3.To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial. [1913 Webster]

4.To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration. [1913 Webster]

5.To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance. [1913 Webster]

The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God.— Rogers.[1913 Webster]

Note: This word, when it signifies to be pleased with, to think favorably (of), is often followed by of. [1913 Webster]

They had not approved of the deposition of James.— Macaulay.[1913 Webster]

They approved of the political institutions.— W. Black.[1913 Webster]