/ əˈsɜːt; NAmE əˈsɜːrt/ verb
1.
to state clearly and firmly that sth is true :
[ v that ]
She continued to assert that she was innocent.
[ vn ]
She continued to assert her innocence.
[ v speech ]
'That is wrong,' he asserted.
[ vn that ]
It is commonly asserted that older people prefer to receive care from family members.
2.
[ vn ] assert yourself to behave in a confident and determined way so that other people pay attention to your opinions
3.
[ vn ] to make other people recognize your right or authority to do sth, by behaving firmly and confidently :
to assert your independence / rights
I was determined to assert my authority from the beginning.
4.
[ vn ] assert itself to start to have an effect :
Good sense asserted itself.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from Latin asserere claim, affirm, from ad- to + serere to join.