Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
verb (used with object), rat·i·fied, rat·i·fy·ing.
- to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction: to ratify a constitutional amendment.
- to confirm (something done or arranged by an agent or by representatives) by such action.
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
- (tr) to give formal approval or consent to
mid-14c., from Old French ratifier (13c.), from Medieval Latin ratificare “confirm, approve,” literally “fix by reckoning,” from Latin ratus “fixed by calculation; determined; approved; certain, sure; valid” (past participle adjective from reri “to reckon, think;” see reason (v.)) + root of facere “to make” (see factitious). Related: Ratified; ratifying.