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avowal

[uh-vou-uh l]
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noun
  1. an open statement of affirmation; frank acknowledgment or admission.
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Origin of avowal

First recorded in 1720–30; avow + -al2
Related formspre·a·vow·al, nounre·a·vow·al, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

announcementdeclarationproclamationadmissionconfessionassertionaffirmationtestimonyoath

Examples from the Web for avowal

Historical Examples

  • The very fact that they come to us for help is an avowal of their honesty.

    Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus

    Jessie Graham Flower

  • There was something in the tone of this avowal that made Jan think.

    Jan and Her Job

    L. Allen Harker

  • In the provinces, to live in another person's house is an avowal of poverty.

  • On the morning after her avowal it was ten o'clock before Clotilde left her room.

    Doctor Pascal

    Emile Zola

  • "I have scarce courage for the avowal," said she, in a low, faint voice.

    Roland Cashel

    Charles James Lever

Word Origin and History for avowal

n.

1727, from avow + -al (2).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper