I. əˈtest, aˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French attester, from Latin attestari, from ad- + testari to be a witness — more at testament
transitive verb
1.
a. : to bear witness to : affirm to be true or genuine : certify ; specifically : to witness and authenticate by signing as a witness
b. : to authenticate officially (as the truth of a writing)
c. Britain : to authenticate officially the freedom of (livestock) from a specified disease
an attested herd
2. : to establish or verify the usage of
railroad is attested earlier than railway — by one year — R.A.Hall b. 1911
3. : to be or stand as proof of : manifest
the ruins of Palmyra attest its ancient magnificence
4. obsolete : to call to witness : invoke
5. : to put on oath or solemn declaration
6. : to enroll for military service
the day on which the recruits were attested
intransitive verb
1. : to bear witness : testify — often used with to
attest to the truth of the statement
2. : to enroll oneself for service in the armed forces
the day on which the recruits attested
Synonyms: see indicate
II. noun
( -s )
Usage: obsolete
: testimony , witness