in the civil law, the act of confirming or rendering a thing more valid and solemn, by publication, repetition, or recognition thereof. The word comes from the Greek ἀρχαίον, "confess, assent;" formed of ἀρχει, "limit," or ἀρχη, "like," and λόγος, of λέγειν, dicere, "to say;" q. d. to say the same thing, to consent, agree.