- ratify (v.)
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- mid-14c., from Old French ratifier (13c.), from Medieval Latin ratificare "confirm, approve," literally "fix by reckoning," from Latin ratus "fixed by calculation; determined; approved; certain, sure; valid" (past participle adjective from reri "to reckon, think;" see reason (v.)) + root of facere "to make" (see factitious). Related: Ratified; ratifying.