Approval, n.
Approbation; sanction. A censor . . . without whose approval nTemple.
Syn. -- See Approbation.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for approval; he lists it under praise.
Where he writes about it:
Approval always supposes a testing or careful examination, and frequently implies official sanction; approbation may be upon a general view. — from praise
The industry and intelligence of a clerk win his employer's approbation; his decision in a special instance receives his approval. — from praise