Emily Dickinson Lexicon

JUST-IF-IC-A'TION, n. [Fr. from justifier, to justify.]

1. The act of justifying; a showing to be just or conformable to law, rectitude or propriety; vindication; defense. The court listened to the evidence and arguments in justification of the prisoner's conduct. Our disobedience to God's commands admits no justification.
2. Absolution. I hope, for my mother's justification, he wrote this but as an essay of my virtue. – Shak.
3. In late, the showing of a sufficient reason in court why a defendant did what he is called to answer. Pleas in justification must set forth some special matter.
4. In theology, remission of sin and absolution from guilt and punishment; or an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of Christ.