Confirmare

Lat. [from con, together, and firmare, to strengthen.] In old English law and conveyancing. To confirm; to make firm, or strong, (Jirmum facere; Liti, sect. 520); to give additional strength or validity. Confirmare was used as an ordinary word in deeds of gift, in the time of Bracton. Dedi et concessi, et hoc prcesenti ckartd mea confirmavi; I have given and granted, and by this my present charter have confirmed. Bract, fol. 34 b.

In this application, it merely signified to give additional strength to what was already strong, and to give it at the same tim^, that is, by the same instrument; thus strictly preserving the etymology of the word; (con, together, or simuL) Est confirmare id quod prius ^xmximfuit simul firmare. Id, ibid. It is used in the same sense in Magna Charta, (c. 1.) Concessimus Deo, et hoc prcesenti charta nostra confirmavimus. Confirmare was used afterwards as the effective word in deeds of confirmatioD^ 33 properly so called. See Confirmation. Noverint universi, &c., me A. de B, ratificasse, approbasse et confirmasse, &c. Know all men, <kc., that I, A. of B., have ratified, approved and confirmed. Litt, sect. 515.

In this latter application, confirmare signified to make strong that which before was weak or defective. Confirmare est id quod prius infirmum fuit firmare, Co, Litt, 295. Comflrni Mre aeno p«te«t prins qwaio Ja« •i ac€i4erif. No one can confirm before the right accrues to him. 10 Co. 48. Co Harmat vsnm qni tolllt abasHM. He confirms the use [of a thing] who removes the abuse [of it.] Moor, 764.