rat·i·fy /'ra-tə-ˌfī/ vt -fied, -fy·ing: to make valid or effective; esp: to adopt or affirm (as the prior act or contract of an agent) by express or implied consent with the effect of original authorization
rat·i·fi·ca·tion /ˌra-tə-fə-'kā-shən/ n
rat·i·fi·er /'ra-tə-ˌfī-ər/ n
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.