approver

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a person or authority empowered to approve a request, decision, or proposal

   The purchase request was sent to the department's final approver.

2. 2
   noun

   a person who expresses approval or supports a person, idea, or action

   The approver of the policy defended it during the public debate.

3. 3
   noun

   in historical English law, an accused accomplice who confessed and gave evidence against others

   The court accepted the approver's accusation against his former confederates.

Formed from approve + -er. The ordinary senses follow modern approve ('accept or favor'); the historical legal sense reflects an older use of approve meaning 'prove an accusation,' applied to a confessing felon who informed against accomplices.

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