attest

American  

[uh-test] / əˈtɛst /

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 byto ).

   to attest to the reliability of an employee.

noun

1. Archaic. witness; testimony; attestation.

attest British  

/ ˌætɛˈsteɪʃən, əˈtɛst /

verb

1. (tr) to affirm the correctness or truth of

2. 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

---

Other Word Forms

• attestable adjective
• attestant noun
• attestation noun
• attestator noun
• attester noun
• attestive adjective
• attestor noun
• reattest verb (used with object)
• unattested adjective
• well-attested adjective

Etymology

Origin of attest

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. ) )

Example Sentences

But I can attest from experience that true hospitality is only possible in the presence of the recipient’s grace.

From The Wall Street Journal

Multiple anecdotes from across the snooker circuit attest to the man's extraordinary willingness to fulfill commitments to exhibitions, events and press interviews, all while going through treatment.

From BBC

For, as these varied films attest, a rebel doesn’t just voice their discontent at the status quo.

From Los Angeles Times

This anthology of verse from its pages attests to the excellent judgment of its previous editors and to that of Walt Hunter, the Atlantic’s current poetry editor, himself a distinguished poet-critic.

From The Wall Street Journal

More than 1,000 people attested to their losses after investing with GPB, according to federal prosecutors who described the victims as “hardworking, everyday people.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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