Where does “approve” come from?
Approve comes from Middle English aproven, from Old French aprover meaning to assent to, from Latin approbo meaning to assent to, formed from Latin ad meaning to and a root related to Proto-Indo-European pro-bhwo- and ultimately Proto-Indo-European bʰuH- meaning to be or grow.
approve (English): To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; to...
Definitions
- To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; to...
Ancestry of “approve”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | aproven | to prove |
| 2 | Old French | aprover | to approve |
| 3 | Latin | approbō | to regard as good, approve, favor or favour, commend, endorse |
| 4 | Latin | probō | to approve, permit, commend |
| 5 | Latin | Probus | good, serviceable, excellent, superior, able |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | pro-bhwo- | being in front, prominent |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | pro- | toward, forward |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | por- | to give birth; forward, through; going, passage |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | per- | before, in front; first; to go through |
| 10 | Proto-Indo-European | pr̥tós | passed , crossed |