Emily Dickinson Lexicon

JUST'I-FY, v.t. [Fr. justifier; Sp. justificar; It. giustificare; L. justus, just, and facio, to make.]

1. To prove or show to be just, or conformable to law, right, justice, propriety or duty; to defend or maintain; to vindicate as right. We can not justify disobedience or ingratitude to our Maker. We can not justify insult or incivility to our fellow men. Intemperance, lewdness, profaneness and dueling are in no case to be justified.
2. In theology, to pardon and clear from guilt; to absolve or acquit from guilt and merited punishment, and to accept as righteous on account of the merits of the Savior, or by the application of Christ's atonement to the offender. – St. Paul.
3. To cause another to appear comparatively righteous, or less guilty than one's self. – Ezek. xvi.
4. To judge rightly of. Wisdom is justified by her children. – Matth. xi.
5. To accept as just and treat with favor. – James ii.