justify

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To give a good reason for something so that it seems acceptable.

   How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?

2. 2
   verb

   To be a good enough reason for something.

   Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.

3. 3
   verb

   To arrange text so that the lines are even at both the left and right edges.

   The text looks neater when you justify it.

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.

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