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more about justify
justify |
4 definitions found 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Justify \Jus"ti*fy\, v. i. 1. (Print.) To form an even surface or true line with something else; to fit exactly. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Justify \Jus"ti*fy\, v. t. (Law) a To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason for an act that has been made the subject of a change or accusation. b To qualify (one's self) as a surely by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property. The production of bail in court, who there justify themselves against the exception of the plaintiff. --Bouvier's Law Dict. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: justify v 1: show to be reasonable [syn: {warrant}] 2: show to be right [syn: {vindicate}] 3: make excuses for [syn: {apologize}, {apologise}, {excuse}, {rationalize}] 4: let off the hook [syn: {absolve}, {free}] [ant: {blame}] 5: adjust the spaces between words in printing; "justify the margins"
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