\Jus"ti*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Justified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Justifying}.] [F. justifier, L. justificare; justus
just + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Just}, a., and
{-fy}.]
1. To prove or show to be just; to vindicate; to maintain or
   defend as conformable to law, right, justice, propriety,
   or duty.
         That to the height of this great argument I may
         assert eternal providence, And justify the ways of
         God to men.                           --Milton.
         Unless the oppression is so extreme as to justify
         revolution, it would not justify the evil of
         breaking up a government.             --E. Everett.
2. To pronounce free from guilt or blame; to declare or prove
   to have done that which is just, right, proper, etc.; to
   absolve; to exonerate; to clear.
         I can not justify whom the law condemns. --Shak.
3. (Theol.) To treat as if righteous and just; to pardon; to
   exculpate; to absolve.
         By him all that believe are justified from all
         things, from which ye could not be justified by the
         law of Moses.                         --Acts xiii.
                                               39.
4. To prove; to ratify; to confirm. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. (Print.) To make even or true, as lines of type, by proper
   spacing; to adjust, as type. See {Justification}, 4.
Syn: To defend; maintain; vindicate; excuse; exculpate;
     absolve; exonerate.

\Jus"ti*fy\, v. i.
1. (Print.) To form an even surface or true line with
   something else; to fit exactly.
2. (Law) To take oath to the ownership of property sufficient
   to qualify one's self as bail or surety.

\Jus"ti*fy\, v. t. (Law)
(a) To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason
    for an act that has been made the subject of a change or
    accusation.
(b) To qualify (one's self) as a surely by taking oath to the
    ownership of sufficient property.
          The production of bail in court, who there justify
          themselves against the exception of the plaintiff.
                                               --Bouvier's
                                               Law Dict.