sanction

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: countenanceendorsementindorsementwarrantimprimaturauthorityauthorizationauthorisationapproveO.K.okay

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. formal and explicit approval“a Democrat usually gets the union's endorsement”Synonyms: countenanceendorsementindorsementwarrantimprimatur
  2. a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards
  3. official permission or approval“authority for the program was renewed several times”Synonyms: authorityauthorizationauthorisation
  4. the act of final authorization“it had the sanction of the church”

Verb (3)

  1. give sanction to“I approve of his educational policies”Synonyms: approveO.K.okay
  2. give authority or permission to
  3. give religious sanction to, such as through on oath“sanctify the marriage”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Sanction \Sanc"tion\, n. [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. [1913 Webster]

The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony.— I. Watts.[1913 Webster]

2.Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Ratification; authorization; authority; countenance; support. [1913 Webster]

Sanction \Sanc"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sanctioned; p. pr. & vb. n. Sanctioning.] To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve. [1913 Webster]

Would have counseled, or even sanctioned, such perilous experiments. --De Quincey. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance. [1913 Webster]

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