King James Bible Dictionary

APPROVE', verb transitive [Latin approbo; of ad and probo, to prove or approve See Approbate, Prove and Proof.]

1. To like; to be pleased with; to admit the propriety of; as, we approve the measures of administration. This word may include, with the assent of the mind to the propriety, a commendation to others.

2. To prove; to show to be true; to justify.

Would'st thou approve thy constancy? approve first thy wisdom.

[This sense, though common a century or two ago, is now rare.]

3. To experience; to prove by trial. [Not used. See Prove.]

4. To make or show to be worthy of approbation; to commend.

Jesus, a man approved of God. Acts 2:22.

This word seems to include the idea of Christ's real office as the Messiah, and of God's love and approbation of him in that character.

5. To like and sustain as right; to commend.

Yet their posterity approve their sayings. Psalms 49:13.

This word, when it signifies to be pleased, is often followed by of, in which use, it is intransitive; as, I approve of the measure. But the tendency of modern usage is to omit of. 'I approve the measure.'

6. To improve.

APPROV'ED, participle passive Liked; commended; shown or proved to be worthy of approbation; having the approbation and support of.

Study to show thyself approved to God. 2 Timothy 2:15.

Not he that commendeth himself is approved 2 Corinthians 10:18.

APPROVE'MENT, noun

1. Approbation; liking.

2. In law, when a person indicated for felony or treason, and arraigned, confesses the fact before plea pleaded, and appeals or accuses his accomplices of the same crime, to obtain his pardon, this confession and accusation are called approvement and the person an approver.

3. Improvement of common lands, by inclosing and converting them to the uses of husbandry.

APPROV'ER, noun

1. One who approves. Formerly one who proves or makes trial.

2. In law, one who confesses a crime and accuses another. [See Approvement.] Also, formerly, one who had the letting of the king's domains in small manors. In Stat. 1. Edw. 3. C. 8, sheriffs are called approvers. A bailiff or steward of a manor.