Con*firm" (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Confrmed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Confirming.] [OE. confermen,
confirmen, OF. confermer, F. confirmer, fr.
L. confirmare; con- + firmare to make firm,
fr. firmus firm. See Firm.] 1.
To make firm or firmer; to add strength to; to establish;
as, health is confirmed by exercise.
Confirm the crown to me and to mine
heirs.
Shak.
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a
law.
Ps. cv. 10.
2. To strengthen in judgment or
purpose.
Confirmed, then, I resolve
Adam shall share with me in bliss or woe.
Milton.
3. To give new assurance of the truth of;
to render certain; to verify; to corroborate; as, to
confirm a rumor.
Your eyes shall witness and confirm my
tale.
Pope.
These likelihoods confirm her flight.
Shak.
4. To render valid by formal assent; to
complete by a necessary sanction; to ratify; as, to
confirm the appoinment of an official; the Senate
confirms a treaty.
That treaty so prejudicial ought to have been
remitted rather than confimed.
Swift.
5. (Eccl.) To administer the rite
of confirmation to. See Confirmation, 3.
Those which are thus confirmed are thereby
supposed to be fit for admission to the sacrament.
Hammond.
Syn. -- To strengthen; corroborate; substantiate;
establish; fix; ratify; settle; verify; assure.
