From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Confirmation \Con`fir*ma"tion\, n. [F. confirmation, L.
confirmatio.]
1. The act of confirming or strengthening; the act of
establishing, ratifying, or sanctioning; as, the
confirmation of an appointment.
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Their blood is shed
In confirmation of the noblest claim. --Cowper.
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2. That which confirms; that which gives new strength or
assurance; as to a statement or belief; additional
evidence; proof; convincing testimony.
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Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ. --Shak.
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3. (Eccl.) A rite supplemental to baptism, by which a person
is admitted, through the laying on of the hands of a
bishop, to the full privileges of the church, as in the
Roman Catholic, the Episcopal Church, etc.
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This ordinance is called confirmation, because they
who duly receive it are confirmed or strengthened
for the fulfillment of their Christian duties, by
the grace therein bestowed upon them. --Hook.
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4. (Law) A conveyance by which a voidable estate is made sure
and not voidable, or by which a particular estate is
increased; a contract, express or implied, by which a
person makes that firm and binding which was before
voidable.
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