Con`fir*ma"tion (?), n. [F.
confirmation, L. confirmatio.] 1.
The act of confirming or strengthening; the act of
establishing, ratifying, or sanctioning; as, the
confirmation of an appointment.
Their blood is shed
In confirmation of the noblest claim.
Cowper.
2. That which confirms; that which gives
new strength or assurance; as to a statement or belief;
additional evidence; proof; convincing testimony.
Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ.
Shak.
3. (Eccl.) A rite supplemental to
baptism, by which a person is admitted, through the laying on of
the hands of a bishop, to the full privileges of the church, as
in the Roman Catholic, the Episcopal Church, etc.
This ordinance is called confirmation,
because they who duly receive it are confirmed or strengthened
for the fulfillment of their Christian duties, by the grace
therein bestowed upon them.
Hook.
4. (Law) A conveyance by which a
voidable estate is made sure and not voidable, or by which a
particular estate is increased; a contract, express or implied,
by which a person makes that firm and binding which was before
voidable.
