justifying

transitive verb justified, justifying

1. to show to be just, right, or in accord with reason; vindicate
2. to supply good or lawful grounds for; warrant
3. Christian Theol. to free from blame; declare guiltless; absolve
4. Printing to adjust (printed lines) by spacing so that the lines will be of the correct length

Origin: ME justifien < OFr justifier < LL (chiefly Ec.) justificare, to act justly toward, justify < L justus, just + -ficare < facere, to do

intransitive verb

1. Law
   1. to show an adequate reason for something done
   2. to prove qualified as surety
2. Printing to fit; be in line or flush: said as of printed lines