Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SANC'TION, n. [Fr. from L. sanctio, from sanctus, holy, solemn, established.]

1. Ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body. A treaty is not valid without the sanction of the president and senate.
2. Authority; confirmation derived from testimony, character, influence or custom. The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony. – Watts.
3. A law or decree. [Improper.] – Denham.