(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If someone ~s a fact or belief, they state it firmly. (FORMAL)
Mr. Helm plans to ~ that the bill violates the First Amendment...
The defendants, who continue to ~ their innocence, are expected to appeal...
Altman ~ed, ‘We were making a political statement about western civilisation and greed.’
= declare
VERB: V that, V n, V with quote
~ion (~ions)
There is no concrete evidence to support ~ions that the recession is truly over.
N-VAR
2.
If you ~ your authority, you make it clear by your behaviour that you have authority.
After the war, the army made an attempt to ~ its authority in the south of the country...
= establish
VERB: V n
~ion
The decision is seen as an ~ion of his authority within the company.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
3.
If you ~ your right or claim to something, you insist that you have the right to it.
The republics began ~ing their right to govern themselves.
VERB: V n
~ion
These institutions have made the ~ion of ethnic identity possible.
N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n
4.
If you ~ yourself, you speak and act in a forceful way, so that people take notice of you.
He’s speaking up and ~ing himself confidently.
VERB: V pron-refl