Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Approve \Ap*prove"\ ([a^]p*pr[=oo]v"), v. t. [OF. aprouer; a (L.
   ad) + a form apparently derived fr. the pro, prod, in L.
   prodest it is useful or profitable, properly the preposition
   pro for. Cf. {Improve}.] (Eng. Law)
   To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit; -- said
   esp. of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the
   manor.

Approve \Ap*prove"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Approved}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Approving}.] [OE. aproven, appreven, to prove, OF.
   aprover, F. approuver, to approve, fr. L. approbare; ad +
   probare to esteem as good, approve, prove. See {Prove}, and
   cf. {Approbate}.]
   1. To show to be real or true; to prove. [Obs.]

            Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? Approve First
            thy obedience.                        --Milton.

   2. To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show
      practically.

            Opportunities to approve . . . worth. --Emerson.

            He had approved himself a great warrior. --Macaulay.

            'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true. --Byron.

            His account . . . approves him a man of thought.
                                                  --Parkman.

   3. To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to
      approve the decision of a court-martial.

   4. To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to
      think well of; as, we approve the measured of the
      administration.

   5. To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.

            The first care and concern must be to approve
            himself to God.                       --Rogers.

   Note: This word, when it signifies to be pleased with, to
         think favorably (of), is often followed by of.

               They had not approved of the deposition of James.
                                                  --Macaulay.

               They approved of the political institutions. --W.
                                                  Black.

Source : WordNet®

approve
     v 1: give sanction to; "I approve of his educational policies"
          [syn: {O.K.}, {okay}, {sanction}] [ant: {disapprove}]
     2: judge to be right or commendable; think well of [ant: {disapprove}]