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Dictionary

sanc•tion

Pronunciation: (sangk'shun), [key]
—n.
1. authoritative permission or approval, as for an action.
2. something that serves to support an action, condition, etc.
3. something that gives binding force, as to an oath, rule of conduct, etc.
4. Law.
a. a provision of a law enacting a penalty for disobedience or a reward for obedience.
b. the penalty or reward.
5. Internat. Law.action by one or more states toward another state calculated to force it to comply with legal obligations.

—v.t.
1. to authorize, approve, or allow: an expression now sanctioned by educated usage.
2. to ratify or confirm: to sanction a law.
3. to impose a sanction on; penalize, esp. by way of discipline.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

sanctimony

sanctitude

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