The word "approven" is an archaic spelling of "approve". It is pronounced /əˈpruːv/. The spelling of the word derives from Old French, where the verb was spelled "aprover". Over time, the spelling evolved in English, first to "approove" and later settled on "approve". The use of "approven" has become rare and is no longer commonly used. Instead, the modern English spelling is used in everyday conversation and writing.
Approven is an archaic term that originated in medieval English. Its definition is rooted in the verb "approve," which means to agree with, give consent to, or express satisfaction with something. However, the term "approven" signifies the past participle form of this verb, indicating an action that has been approved or validated in the past.
In historical context, "approven" was often used to describe the acceptance or endorsement of a deed, decision, or proposition by a higher authority. For instance, in legal matters, it denoted the act of affirming or validating a contract, agreement, or testament. This formal approval implied that the document had met the required standards and was legally binding.
Moreover, "approven" can also signify the acknowledgement or confirmation of a person's worth, skill, or competence. In this sense, it referred to the attestation of someone's abilities, qualities, or achievements as being noteworthy or commendable. This usage of the term suggests that an individual has been recognized or acknowledged for their merits or accomplishments by others.
However, it is important to note that "approven" is considered archaic and is rarely used in modern English. Its usage has significantly diminished over time, and its contemporary equivalent is the past participle form "approved."
The word "approven" has its origin in Middle English. It is derived from the Old French word "aprover" which means "to approve" or "to confirm". "Aprover" itself comes from the Latin word "approbare", where "ad-" means "to" and "probare" means "to prove" or "to test". Over time, "aprover" in Old French evolved into "aproven" or "approven" in Middle English.