Dictionary entry

Sanction (2)

Webster's Dictionary 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.