justify

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Justified p. pr. & vb. n. Justifying ] [ F. justifier, L. justificare; justus just + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See Just, a., and -fy. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety, or duty. [ 1913 Webster ]

That to the height of this great argument
I may assert eternal providence,
And justify the ways of God to men. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Unless the oppression is so extreme as to justify revolution, it would not justify the evil of breaking up a government. E. Everett. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to absolve; to exonerate; to clear. [ 1913 Webster ]

I can not justify whom the law condemns. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Theol.) To treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to exculpate; to absolve. [ 1913 Webster ]

By him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts xiii. 39. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To prove; to ratify; to confirm. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Print.) To make even or true, as lines of type, by proper spacing; to align (text) at the left (left justify) or right (right justify) margins of a column or page, or at both margins; to adjust, as type. See Justification, 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Law) (a) To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason for an act that has been made the subject of a charge or accusation. (b) To qualify (one's self) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

The production of bail in court, who there justify themselves against the exception of the plaintiff. Bouvier's Law Dict. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Syn. -- To defend; maintain; vindicate; excuse; exculpate; absolve; exonerate. [ 1913 Webster ]