Definition: justifying

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Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Justify \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.