Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AP-PRO-BA'TION, n. [L. approbatio. See Proof and Prove.]

1. The act of approving; a liking; that state or disposition of the mind, in which we assent to the propriety of a thing, with some degree of pleasure or satisfaction; as, the laws of God require our approbation.
2. Attestation; support; that is, active approbation, or action, in favor of what is approved. – Shak.
3. The commendation of a book licensed or permitted to be published by authority, as was formerly the case in England.