attest

[uh-test]

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of attest¹

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. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of attest¹

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

Example Sentences

As Latin American countries can attest, these experiments often start with noble intentions and end with scandals, bloated payrolls and empty shelves.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They persist because, as George Soros can attest, once in a while they are proven right.

Read more on MarketWatch

We’ve seen stem cell hype regurgitated by otherwise respectable news organizations, abetted by high-profile athletes attesting to miracle cures of their musculoskeletal ailments.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Abstinence brings rewards, as any recovering alcoholic will quickly attest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The battered guardrails at the valley’s nadir attest to that.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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