affidavit

[af-i-dey-vit]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR affidavit ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Law.

a written declaration upon oath made before an authorized official.

RELATED WORDS

oath, testimony, affirmation

Nearby words

Origin of affidavit

1615–25; < Medieval Latin affīdāvit (he) has declared on oath, perfect 3rd singular of affīdāre; see affiance

Related formspre·af·fi·da·vit, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for affidavit

“The defendant told me he did not want to go back so jail,” the affidavit says.
The Muslim Convert Behind America’s First Workplace Beheading|Michael Daly|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“He advised me that he did not have his license on him,” Randolph wrote in her affidavit.
The Muslim Convert Behind America’s First Workplace Beheading|Michael Daly|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I stopped and yelled on my handheld radio for help,” the affidavit reports.
The Muslim Convert Behind America’s First Workplace Beheading|Michael Daly|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“[She] had been hemorrhaging since she arrived,” the affidavit notes.
Charged With Murder for a Miscarriage in Oklahoma|Michael Daly|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“Beaten to the point she was almost unrecognizable by her family,” says a June 16 affidavit filed by the Oklahoma City police.
Charged With Murder for a Miscarriage in Oklahoma|Michael Daly|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Well, that is what the affidavit says which I entered late yesterday afternoon.
The Great Gold Rush|W. H. P. (William Henry Pope) Jarvis
He had drawn an affidavit setting forth what he knew about the man, particularly mentioning extenuating circumstances.
Lincoln's Yarns and Stories|Alexander K. McClure
And then it turned out that General Brady only allowed forty per cent, of that affidavit.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Then he made a second affidavit, filed with a purpose to defraud the Government.
The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 10 (of 12)|Robert G. Ingersoll
Either that or anything that she signed which purports to be her statement or affidavit or other recording.
Warren Commission (5 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15)|The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for affidavit

affidavit

noun

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

Word Origin for affidavit

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for affidavit

affidavit

1590s, from Medieval Latin affidavit, literally "he has stated on oath," third person singular perfective of affidare "to trust," from Latin ad- "to" (see ad-) + fidare "to trust," from fidus "faithful," from fides "faith" (see faith). So called from being the first word of sworn statements.