sanction
Meaning: Penalties imposed to enforce compliance; official permission or approval
Sanction has two seemingly opposite meanings. As a noun, it most commonly refers to penalties or restrictions imposed on a country or organisation to force compliance with laws or agreements. However, it can also mean official permission or approval. As a verb, it means to officially approve or to impose penalties.
Examples
- The United Nations imposed economic sanctions on the country. 联合国对该国实施了经济制裁。Las Naciones Unidas impusieron sanciones económicas al país.国連はその国に経済制裁を課しました。유엔은 그 나라에 경제 제재를 부과했습니다.
- The committee refused to sanction the proposed changes. 委员会拒绝批准拟议的变更。El comité se negó a sancionar los cambios propuestos.委員会は提案された変更を承認することを拒否しました。위원회는 제안된 변경 사항을 승인하는 것을 거부했습니다.
- Without official sanction, the project cannot proceed. 没有官方批准,项目无法进行。Sin sanción oficial, el proyecto no puede proceder.公式の承認がなければ、プロジェクトは進められません。공식 승인 없이는 프로젝트를 진행할 수 없습니다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin 'sanctionem' (act of decreeing, ordinance), from 'sancire' (to make sacred, confirm). Uniquely, it developed opposite meanings: both 'official approval' and 'penalty for disobeying.'
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Story & Trivia
From Latin 'sanctio' meaning 'decree, ordinance.' Remarkably, this word developed two opposite meanings: both 'to permit' (give holy approval) and 'to punish' (enforce the holy law). This makes it a contronym.
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