affidavit

[af-i-dey-vit]

noun

Law.

1. a written declaration upon oath made before an authorized official.

affidavit

/ ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt /

noun

1. law a declaration in writing made upon oath before a person authorized to administer oaths, esp for use as evidence in court

Other Word Forms

• preaffidavit noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of affidavit¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Medieval Latin affīdāvit “(he) has declared on oath,” 3rd-person singular perfect of affīdāre “to declare an oath”; affiance

Word History and Origins

Origin of affidavit¹

C17: from Medieval Latin, literally: he declares on oath, from affīdare to trust (oneself) to; see _affiance

Example Sentences

He told police he would have beaten the governor with a hammer, according to an affidavit.

Read more on BBC

She said she cannot get her name off, but she had him sign a notarized affidavit that he is solely responsible for the debt.

Read more on MarketWatch

He allegedly remained in the area after he set the fire, repeatedly called 911 and then offered to help firefighters, according to a federal affidavit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“This affidavit puts the responsibility on the fire department. There needs to be a commission examining why this rekindled fire was allowed to reignite,” Nordskog said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Feb. 22 incident, recounted in a detective’s affidavit, began on Grindr, a hookup app for gay men.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• oath 
• testimony