affidavit

American  

[af-i-dey-vit] / ˌæf ɪˈdeɪ vɪt /

noun

Law.

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

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affidavit British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• preaffidavit noun

Etymology

Origin of affidavit

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

Example Sentences

They referred families to organizations that would help them draft affidavits so their U.S.-born children could have legal guardians, in case the parents were deported.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the officers chased the tow truck on foot and saw that the suspect was ‘laughing’ as he recorded the officer with his cellphone, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.

From Los Angeles Times

On Dec. 1, he rented a car in Boston and drove to Brown’s campus in Providence, R.I., where a custodian saw him in a bathroom near the lecture hall, according to an affidavit.

From The Wall Street Journal

There were no cameras in the auditorium, or in the hallways leading to it, and two cameras outside didn’t capture all the exits, the affidavits said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Times recently reviewed a search warrant affidavit written by the Los Angeles Police Department detective who investigated the homicide.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• oath
• testimony