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sanction
sanction definition
sanc·tion (saŋk′s̸hən)
noun
- the act of a recognized authority confirming or ratifying an action; authorized approval or permission
- support; encouragement; approval
- something that gives binding force to a law, or secures obedience to it, as the penalty for breaking it, or a reward for carrying it out
- something, as a moral principle or influence, that makes a rule of conduct, a law, etc. binding
- : often used in pl.
- a coercive measure, as a blockade of shipping, usually taken by several nations together, for forcing a nation considered to have violated international law to end the violation
- a coercive measure, as a boycott, taken by a group to enforce demands
- Obsolete a formal decree; law
Etymology: < Fr or L: Fr < L sanctio < sanctus: see saint
transitive verb
to give sanction to; specif.,
- to ratify or confirm
- to authorize or permit; countenance
Related Forms:
- sanctionable sanc′·tion·able adjective
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