Ratify
/ˈræt.ɪ.faɪ/noun
To give formal approval to something, making it legally valid.
Did you know?Ratify comes from Latin *ratus* meaning “fixed, settled, confirmed,” from *reri* “to think, reckon,” so the word’s power is about making a decision so firm it becomes law.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reh₁-
“to count, reckon, think”
Latin
Latin
reri
“to think, judge, reckon”
Latin
Latin
ratus
“reckoned, fixed, settled, confirmed”
Late Latin
Latin
ratificare
“to confirm, make valid”
14th Century
English
ratifien
“to confirm or approve formally”
Modern English
English
ratify
“to approve formally and make legally valid”