Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
affidavit - 5 dictionary results

af⋅fi⋅da⋅vit

[af-i-dey-vit]
–noun Law.
a written declaration upon oath made before an authorized official.

Origin:
1615–25; < ML affīdāvit (he) has declared on oath, perf. 3rd sing. of affīdāre; see affiance
af·fi·da·vit   (āf'ĭ-dā'vĭt)   
n.  A written declaration made under oath before a notary public or other authorized officer.

[Medieval Latin affīdāvit, from third person sing. past tense of Latin affīdāre, to pledge; see affiance.]

Affidavit

Af`fi*da"vit\, n. [LL. affidavit he has made oath, perfect tense of affidare. See Affiance, Affy.] (Law) A sworn statement in writing; a declaration in writing, signed and made upon oath before an authorized magistrate. --Bouvier. --Burrill.

Note: It is always made ex parte, and without cross-examination, and in this differs from a deposition. It is also applied to written statements made on affirmation.

Syn: Deposition. See Deposition.

affidavit 
1593, from M.L. affidavit, lit. "he has stated on oath," third person sing. perf. of affidare "to trust," from L. ad- "to" + fidare "to trust," from fidus "faithful," from fides "faith" (see faith). So called from being the first word of sworn statements.

Main Entry: af·fi·da·vit
Pronunciation: "a-f&-'dA-v&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin, he/she has pledged faith, third singular perfect of affidare —see AFFIANT
: a sworn statement in writing made esp. under oath or on affirmation before an authorized magistrate or officer —compare DEPOSITION, EXAMINATION
Search another word or see affidavit on Thesaurus | Reference