Af*firm" (#), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Affirmed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Affirming.] [OE. affermen, OF. afermer, F. affirmer, affermir, fr. L. affirmare; ad + firmare to make firm, firmus firm. See Firm.]
1. To make firm; to confirm, or ratify; esp. Law,
to assert or confirm, as a judgment, decree, or order, brought before an appelate court for review.
2.
To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to maintain as true; -- opposed to deny.
Jesus, . . . whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts xxv. 19.
3. Law
To declare, as a fact, solemnly, under judicial sanction. See Affirmation, 4.
Syn. -- To assert; aver; declare; asseverate; assure; pronounce; protest; avouch; confirm; establish; ratify. -- To Affirm, Asseverate, Aver, Protest. We affirm when we declare a thing as a fact or a proposition. We asseverate it in a peculiarly earnest manner, or with increased positiveness as what can not be disputed. We aver it, or formally declare it to be true, when we have positive knowledge of it. We protest in a more public manner and with the energy of perfect sincerity. People asseverate in order to produce a conviction of their veracity; they aver when they are peculiarly desirous to be believed; they protest when they wish to free themselves from imputations, or to produce a conviction of their innocence.
© Webster 1913.
Af*firm", v. i.
1.
To declare or assert positively.
Not that I so affirm, though so it seem
To thee, who hast thy dwelling here on earth.
Milton.
2. Law
To make a solemn declaration, before an authorized magistrate or tribunal, under the penalties of perjury; to testify by affirmation.
© Webster 1913.