af·fir·ma·tion

[af-er-mey-shuhn]
noun
1.
the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed.
2.
the assertion that something exists or is true.
3.
something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.
4.
confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc.
5.
Law. a solemn declaration accepted instead of a statement under oath.

Origin:
1535–45; < Latin affirmātiōn- (stem of affirmātiō), equivalent to affirmāt(us) (past participle of affirmāre to affirm) + -iōn- -ion

non·af·fir·ma·tion, noun
o·ver·af·fir·ma·tion, noun
pre·af·fir·ma·tion, noun
re·af·fir·ma·tion, noun
self-af·fir·ma·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To affirmation
00:10
Affirmation is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.
Collins
World English Dictionary
affirmation (ˌæfəˈmeɪʃən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  the act of affirming or the state of being affirmed
2.  a statement of the existence or truth of something; assertion
3.  law a solemn declaration permitted on grounds of conscientious objection to taking an oath

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

affirmation
1530s, from Fr. affirmation (14c.), from L. affirmationem (nom. affirmatio), noun of action from affirmare (see affirm). In law, as the Quaker alternative to oath-taking, it is attested from 1690s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

affirmation

in law, a promise by a witness concerning testimony allowed in place of an oath to those who cannot, because of conscience, swear an oath. For example, members of the Society of Friends (Quakers), Jehovah's Witnesses, and other persons who have objections against taking an oath are allowed to make affirmation in any manner they may declare to be binding upon their consciences in confirmation of the truth of their testimony.

Learn more about affirmation with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The researchers think the weight loss was due to increased self-affirmation or self-esteem.
Self-affirmation is about being proud and powerful and in control.
Increasingly, these kids turn to brand names for security and affirmation.
He is a natural showman, and he thrives on affirmation.
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