affirm, afferme

t. & i. [In Fr. affirmer Sp. afirmar Port. affirmar; Ital affermare, affirm are, all fr. Lat, affirmo (1) to make steady, to corroborate, (2) to a ert positively: ad used intensively; firmo = to strengthen; firm us = firm.] A. Transitive: I. Ordinary Language: *1. To strengthen, to confirm. "The Pape set that terme, for his hopyng was The pes the i suld afferme, for dred of harder cas." R. Brunne, р. 316. See also B. 2. To a ert positively, to allege confidently, to aver. (Followed by the objective case or by that , introducing the statement a erted.) (a) In a general sense: a mere speculative proposition which many members might be willing to afirm without scrutinising it severely."- Macaulay : Hist. Eng . , ch. xxv. "And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmet that it was even so " -Acts xii. 15. (b) Spec. (Scripture): To teach dogmatically, to preach. these things I will that thou afirm constantly." Titus iii. 8. II. Technically : Law & Ord. Lang. To confirm the judgment of a legal decision; to ratify a law. pine, pit, sire, sir, marine; gō, pot, B. Intransitive: 1. Ord. Lang.: To declare strongly or positively. 2. Law: To make a declaration solemnly before a court of law, or before a magistrate, with the object of contirining a fact; or to having an affirmation administered to (one) by way of confirmation, or as a substitute for an oath as, The witne affirmed to the fact; or, He was affirmed to the fact. ( Webster .)