Sanction /(?)/

1. Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by giving authority to it; confirmation; approbation.

   The strictest professors of reason have added the sanction of their testimony.

2. Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions.

imp. & p. p. Sanctioned; p. pr. & vb. n. Sanctioning

1. To give sanction to; to ratify; to confirm; to approve.

   Would have counseled, or even sanctioned, such perilous experiments.