Affirming

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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     2. To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to
        maintain as true; -- opposed to {deny}.
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              Jesus, . . . whom Paul affirmed to be alive. --Acts
                                                    xxv. 19.
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     3. (Law) To declare, as a fact, solemnly, under judicial
        sanction. See {Affirmation}, 4.
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     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.
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