Nearby Words

affirm

[uh-furm] Example Sentences Origin

af·firm

[uh-furm]
verb (used with object)
1.
to state or assert positively; maintain as true: to affirm one's loyalty to one's country; He affirmed that all was well.
2.
to confirm or ratify: The appellate court affirmed the judgment of the lower court.
3.
to assert solemnly: He affirmed his innocence.
4.
to express agreement with or commitment to; uphold; support: to affirm human rights.
verb (used without object)
5.
Law.
a.
to state something solemnly before a court or magistrate, but without oath.
b.
to ratify and accept a voidable transaction.
c.
(of an appellate court) to determine that the action of the lower court shall stand.

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Affirm is always a great word to know.
So is pardon. Does it mean:
a release from the penalty of an offense; a remission of penalty, as by a governor; the document by which such remission is declared
an application for a court order or for some judicial action

Origin:
1300–50; < Latin affirmāre, equivalent to af- af- + firmāre to make firm (see firm1); replacing Middle English a(f)fermen < Middle French afermer < Latin

af·firm·a·ble, adjective
af·firm·a·bly, adverb
af·firm·er, noun
af·firm·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·af·firm, verb
EXPAND
pre·af·firm, verb
re·af·firm, verb (used with object)
un·af·firmed, adjective
COLLAPSE


1. aver, asseverate, depose, testify. See declare. 2. approve, endorse.


1. deny.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To affirm
Example Sentences
  • Writers are in a position to affirm their experiences.
  • Evolution only affirms that living things are governed by a unifying law.
  • The rabble shouts encouragement, aware that it is participating in a ritual act designed to re-affirm community bonds.
EXPAND
Collins
World English Dictionary
affirm (əˈfɜːm)
 
vb
1.  (may take a clause as object) to declare to be true; assert positively
2.  to uphold, confirm, or ratify
3.  (intr) law to make an affirmation
 
[C14: via Old French from Latin affirmāre to present (something) as firm or fixed, assert, from ad- to + firmāre to make firm1]
 
af'firmer
 
n
 
af'firmant
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

affirm
early 14c., from O.Fr. afermer, from L. affirmare "to make steady, strengthen, corroborate," from ad- "to" + firmare "strengthen, make firm," from firmus "strong" (see firm (adj.)). Spelling refashioned 16c. on L. model.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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