approval

[uh-proo-vuh l] /əˈpru vəl/
noun
1.
the act of approving; approbation.
2.
formal permission or sanction.
3.
Philately. one of a group of selected stamps sent by a dealer to a prospective customer for examination and either purchase or return.
Idioms
4.
on approval, without obligation to buy unless satisfactory to the customer upon trial or examination and, otherwise, returnable:
We ship merchandise on approval.
Origin
1680-90; approve + -al2
Related forms
nonapproval, noun
preapproval, noun
proapproval, adjective
reapproval, noun
self-approval, noun
British Dictionary definitions for on approval

approval

/əˈpruːvəl/
noun
1.
the act of approving
2.
formal agreement; sanction
3.
a favourable opinion; commendation
4.
on approval, (of articles for sale) for examination with an option to buy or return
Word Origin and History for on approval

approval

n.

1680s, from approve + -al (2). According to OED, "Rare bef. 1800; now generally used instead of" approvance (1590s, from French aprovance).

Idioms and Phrases with on approval

on approval

To be returned if not satisfactory, as in They're offering custom-made shoes, manufactured from a computer design, on approval. This expression, applied nearly always to the purchase of goods, was first recorded in 1870.

approval

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