approve
UK[əˈpruːv]US[əˈpruːv]
v
to have a positive opinion of someone or something; to regard favorably
v
to officially agree to a plan, request, or proposal
Morpheme Breakdown
ap
prove
ap
to, towards
prove
to test, to demonstrate as good
Etymology
the word 'approve' entered english in the late 13th century from old french 'aprover', which itself derived from latin 'approbare'. this latin verb is a compound of the prefix 'ad-' (meaning 'to') and 'probare' (meaning 'to test, to prove, to make or find good'). the core semantic journey originates from the pie root pro-bhwo- ('being in front, prominent'), which evolved into the latin concept of proving something's worth or goodness. the literal sense of 'approving' something was to test it and find it good, a meaning that shifted over time from the act of proving to the resulting state of formal or favorable agreement. thus, the modern abstract meaning of giving official or personal consent retains the underlying logic of moving towards ('ad-') a judgment of goodness ('prove').
Analysis
Structure: ap + prove
ap- (a variant of the latin prefix ad-, meaning 'to, towards'), prove (from latin probare, meaning 'to test, to demonstrate as good')
Examples
the committee will meet to approve the final budget.
i really approve of the way you handled that difficult situation.
the plans must be approved by the city council before construction can begin.