attest

[ uh-test ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bear witness to; certify; declare to be correct, true, or genuine; declare the truth of, in words or writing, especially to affirm in an official capacity:

   to attest the truth of a statement.

2. to give proof or evidence of; manifest:

   His works attest his industry.

3. Linguistics. to give evidence of the existence of (a word, phrase, usage, etc.), especially in writing: The dictionary attests this meaning as early as 1890.

   The plural form is attested in ancient texts.

   The dictionary attests this meaning as early as 1890.

4. to put on oath.

verb (used without object)

1. to testify or bear witness (often followed by to ):

   to attest to the reliability of an employee.

noun

1. Archaic. witness; testimony; attestation.

attest

/ əˈtɛst; ˌætɛˈsteɪʃən /

verb

1. tr to affirm the correctness or truth of
2. whenintr, usually foll by to to witness (an act, event, etc) or bear witness to (an act, event, etc) as by signature or oath
3. tr to make evident; demonstrate

   his life of luxury attests his wealth

4. tr to provide evidence for

   the marks in the ground attested the presence of a fossil

Derived Forms

• atˈtestant, noun
• attestation, noun
• atˈtestable, adjective

Other Words From

• at·test·a·ble adjective
• at·test·ant noun
• at·test·er at·tes·tor at·tes·ta·tor [uh, -, tes, -tey-ter, at, -e-stey-], noun
• at·tes·tive adjective
• re·at·test verb (used with object)
• un·at·test·ed adjective
• well-at·test·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attest¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; < Middle French attester, from Latin attestārī “to bear witness to, affirm, confirm” equivalent to at- at- + testārī “to witness” ( testis ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of attest¹

C16: from Latin attestārī to prove, from testārī to bear witness, from testis a witness

Example Sentences

All would attest to the manifest goodness that inspired the perfect nickname for the boy who would become a perfect cop.

From The Daily Beast

Survivors of Ebola, as thousands in West Africa can attest to, can—and often do—make a full recovery.

From The Daily Beast

Her father can attest to that, having seen her in action in a Brooklyn courtroom.

From The Daily Beast

The Yelp reviews attest to the diverse crowd that frequents Orchard Corset Center.

From The Daily Beast

Anyone familiar with the events of four years ago can attest to that.

From The Daily Beast

Just corporeal enough to attest humanity, yet sufficiently transparent to let the celestial origin shine through.

From Project Gutenberg

Tausig, in my opinion, did possess exceptional genius in composition, though he left but few works behind him to attest it.

From Project Gutenberg

The Gentleman's Magazine contains a long list of the bridges and churches which attest his reputation and skill.

From Project Gutenberg

That he was an autocratic chairman, his brother directors, were they now living, would I am sure attest.

From Project Gutenberg

If the letter was preserved the seal was kept attached to it in order to attest its authenticity.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• authenticate
• corroborate
• demonstrate
• indicate
• substantiate
• swear
• verify