GNU Dico
From GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English, version 0.54:
Confirm (?), 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 appointment 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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