approbative

This time I smiled in good earnest at his fantastic fashion of self-introduction, observing which the blue gentleman swayed me backwards and forwards several times with his right hand, and I felt that if I had been an oak of the forest he would have swayed me just as easily, while he said with a kind of approbative chuckle: 'That's right -- a very good lad; that's right -- a very smart lad.'

Marjorie 1898

These terms are neither approbative nor disapprobative in themselves.

The Volokh Conspiracy » Libertarianism and Culture 2009

A more concise, equally accurate but less approbative way of putting this would be simply that he "smokes."

The Recount Culture 2009

Will he strike his ebony wood staff angrily on the floor, frightening him by the incoherent violence of his exclamations; or will he squat down with a good-humoured smile, and, rubbing his hands gently over his stomach with a familiar gesture, expectorate copiously into the brass siri-vessel, giving vent to a low, approbative murmur?

Almayer's Folly 2006

And the approbative shouts of his half-intoxicated auditors filled his simple soul with delight and pride.

Almayer's Folly 2006

The new president of the university arose and eyed him with a peculiarly approbative and grateful gaze.

The Titan 2004

If the first, then they cannot intend any but those moral powers who are said to be of God, in respect of his approbative and preceptive will.

Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive The Reformed Presbytery

God is to be overthrown, then providence must be expressive of God's approbative ordination, equally as his revealed will is.

Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive The Reformed Presbytery

Never had he been more critical, more approbative.

The Dodge Club or, Italy in MDCCCLIX James De Mille

If then this distinction is denied, and the providential will of God asserted to be declarative of his preceptive, and so of his approbative will; it remains to be manifested, where and how it has been appointed of God for such an end, an end that is by the Spirit of God denied unto it: _Eccl. _ ix, 1, 2, 4.

Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive The Reformed Presbytery