in a general sense, the act of ratifying or rendering a title, claim, report, or the like, more sure and indubitable.

in law, a conveyance of an estate, or right in effect, from one man to another, whereby a voidable estate is made sure and unavoidable, or a particular estate is increased, or a possession made perfect.

in theology, the ceremony of laying on of hands, for the conveyance of the Holy Ghost.

The antiquity of this ceremony is, by all ancient writers, carried as high as the apostles, and founded upon their example and practice. In the primitive church, it used to be given to Christians immediately after baptism, if the bishop happened to be present at the solemnity. Among the Greeks, and throughout the East, it still accompanies baptism: but the Romanists make it distinct independent sacrament. Seven years is the stated time for confirmation: however, they are sometimes confirmed before, and sometimes after that age. The person to be confirmed has a godfather and godmother appointed him, as in baptism. The order of confirmation in the church of England, does not determine the precise age of the persons to be confirmed.