Sanc"tion (?), n. [L. sanctio, from sancire, samctum to render sacred or inviolable, to fix unalternably: 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 authority to it; confirmation; approbation.
The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony.
I. Watts.
2.
Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions.
Syn. -- Ratification; authorization; authoruty; countenance; support.
© Webster 1913.
Sanc"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sanctioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sanctioning.]
To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.
Would have counseled, or even sanctioned, such perilous experiments.
De Quincey.
Syn. -- To ratify; confirm; authorize; countenance.
© Webster 1913.