Hypertext Webster Gateway: "justifying"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Justify \Jus"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Justified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Justifying}.] [F. justifier, L. justificare; justus
just + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Just}, a., and
{-fy}.]
1. To prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or
defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety,
or duty.

That to the height of this great argument I may
assert eternal providence, And justify the ways of
God to men. --Milton.

Unless the oppression is so extreme as to justify
revolution, it would not justify the evil of
breaking up a government. --E. Everett.

2. To pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove
to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to
absolve; to exonerate; to clear.

I can not justify whom the law condemns. --Shak.

3. (Theol.) To treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to
exculpate; to absolve.

By him all that believe are justified from all
things, from which ye could not be justified by the
law of Moses. --Acts xiii.
39.

4. To prove; to ratify; to confirm. [Obs.] --Shak.

5. (Print.) To make even or true, as lines of type, by proper
spacing; to adjust, as type. See {Justification}, 4.

Syn: To defend; maintain; vindicate; excuse; exculpate;
absolve; exonerate.


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