justify

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   adjust the spaces between words

   justify the margins

2. 2
   verb

   To provide an acceptable explanation for.

   How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?

3. 3
   verb

   To be a good reason behind a normally-unacceptable action; to warrant.

   Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.

4. 4
   verb

   To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.

   The text will look better justified.

5. 5
   verb

   To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin.

   I cannot justify whom the law condemns.

6. 6
   verb

   To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right.

   She felt no need to justify herself for deciding not to invite him.

7. 7
   verb

   To prove; to ratify; to confirm.

   She is not dead at Tarsus, as she should have been, By savage Cleon: she shall tell thee all; When thou shalt kneel, and justify in knowledge She is thy very princess.

8. 8
   verb

   To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.

   J'USTIFYING BAIL, practice, is the production of bail in court, who there justify' themselves against the exception of the plaintiff.

Etymology

From Middle English justifien, from Old French justifier, from Late Latin justificare (“make just”), from Latin justus, iustus (“just”) + ficare (“make”), from facere, equivalent to just + -ify.