justify

Meanings

1. To provide an acceptable explanation for.
2. To be a good reason behind a normally-unacceptable action; to warrant.
3. To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.
4. To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin.
5. To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right.
6. To prove; to ratify; to confirm.
7. 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.
8. To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.

Etymology

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.