attest

[ uh-test ]

See synonyms for: attest attested attestable attestant on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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.
to give proof or evidence of; manifest: His works attest his industry.

Linguistics. to give evidence of the existence of (a word, phrase, usage, etc.), especially in writing:The plural form is attested in ancient texts.The dictionary attests this meaning as early as 1890.
to put on oath.

verb (used without object)

to testify or bear witness (often followed by to): to attest to the reliability of an employee.

noun

Archaic. witness; testimony; attestation.

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” (see testis)

Other words from attest

at·test·a·ble, adjective
at·test·ant, noun
at·test·er, at·tes·tor, at·tes·ta·tor [uh-tes-tey-ter, at-e-stey-], /əˈtɛs teɪ tər, ˈæt ɛˌsteɪ-/, noun
at·tes·tive, adjective
re·at·test, verb (used with object)
un·at·test·ed, adjective
well-at·test·ed, adjective

Words Nearby attest

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use attest in a sentence

All would attest to the manifest goodness that inspired the perfect nickname for the boy who would become a perfect cop.
In The Shadow of Murdered Cops | Michael Daly | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Survivors of Ebola, as thousands in West Africa can attest to, can—and often do—make a full recovery.
The Sham, Scaremongering Guide to Ebola | Abby Haglage | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Her father can attest to that, having seen her in action in a Brooklyn courtroom.
For Next AG, Obama Picks a Quiet Fighter With a Heavy Punch | Michael Daly | November 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The Yelp reviews attest to the diverse crowd that frequents Orchard Corset Center.
New York's Sexiest Kosher Corsets | Emily Shire | August 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Anyone familiar with the events of four years ago can attest to that.
The Decision 2: LeBron James Trolls the World… Again | Marlow Stern | July 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

Just corporeal enough to attest humanity, yet sufficiently transparent to let the celestial origin shine through.
Pearls of Thought | Maturin M. Ballou
Tausig, in my opinion, did possess exceptional genius in composition, though he left but few works behind him to attest it.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay
The Gentleman's Magazine contains a long list of the bridges and churches which attest his reputation and skill.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
That he was an autocratic chairman, his brother directors, were they now living, would I am sure attest.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph Tatlow
If the letter was preserved the seal was kept attached to it in order to attest its authenticity.
The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone Johnston

British Dictionary definitions for attest

attest

/ (əˈtɛst) /

verb

(tr) to affirm the correctness or truth of
(when intr, usually foll by to) to witness (an act, event, etc) or bear witness to (an act, event, etc) as by signature or oath

(tr) to make evident; demonstrate: his life of luxury attests his wealth
(tr) to provide evidence for: the marks in the ground attested the presence of a fossil

Origin of attest

C16: from Latin attestārī to prove, from testārī to bear witness, from testis a witness

Derived forms of attest

attestable, adjective
attestant, attester, esp law attestor or attestator, noun
attestation (ˌætɛˈsteɪʃən), noun

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

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