v.
Pronunciation: ə - ' f ə rm
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English affermen, from Anglo-French afermer, from Latin affirmare, from ad- + firmare to make firm, from firmus firm ― more at FIRM
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : VALIDATE , CONFIRM b : to state positively <he affirm ed his innocence>
2 : to assert (as a judgment or decree) as valid or confirmed
3 : to express dedication to < affirm life>
intransitive verb
1 : to testify or declare by affirmation as distinguished from swearing an oath
2 : to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower court
synonyms see ASSERT
– af · firm · able \ ə - ' f ə r-m ə -b ə l \ adjective
– af · fir · mance \ ə - ' f ə r-m ə n(t)s \ noun