To give reasons that make a thing defensible. Also to align text evenly to both edges.
Latin iustificare (to make just), from iustus (just) + facere (to make); to give reasons that make a thing defensible, or to set text evenly to both edges.
To make something answerable to being questioned, or to set a line of text evenly between its two edges — one verb for two very different kinds of straightening.