Affirm

Affirm Af*firm" ([a^]f*f[~e]rm"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Affirmed} (-f[~e]rmd"); 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 appellate court for review. [1913 Webster]

2. To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to maintain as true; -- opposed to {deny}. [1913 Webster]

Jesus, . . . whom Paul affirmed to be alive. --Acts xxv. 19. [1913 Webster]

3. (Law) To declare, as a fact, solemnly, under judicial sanction. See {Affirmation}, 4. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To assert; aver; declare; asseverate; assure; pronounce; protest; avouch; confirm; establish; ratify.

Usage: 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. [1913 Webster]