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

According to the criminal report affidavit, the alleged incident happened at approximately 3:42 a.m. on Jan. 12 at a noodle bar inside the Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

From Los Angeles Times

Aguayo initially denied knowing anything about the posts and suggested his social account may have been hacked, but later admitted to writing them according to the federal affidavit.

From Los Angeles Times

Busfield told authorities that the boys' mother had threatened revenge when they were replaced on the series, the arrest affidavit states.

From BBC

He also referenced an affidavit in which Busfield suggested to investigators that the child actors’ mother might have sought “revenge” on the director for “not bringing her kids back for the final season.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cash transactions are banned, and businesses must obtain signed affidavits from sellers attesting where the metal was obtained and keep copies of photo IDs and license-plate numbers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• oath
• testimony