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 by to ):

   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. whenintr, usually foll by to 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

Derived Forms

• atˈtestable, adjective
• atˈtestant, noun
• attestation, noun

Other Words From

• 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-], noun
• at·tes·tive adjective
• re·at·test verb (used with object)
• un·at·test·ed adjective
• well-at·test·ed 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

All Friedman can attest to is what he saw and heard when traveling to Europe.

From Los Angeles Times

But, as the Twickenham regulars can attest, there have been plenty of those.

From BBC

The mayor of Rancho Santa Margarita and a City Council candidate in Fullerton recently pleaded guilty to filing false affidavits attesting that they had personally collected and witnessed signatures on their nominating papers.

From Los Angeles Times

And precedents are there to be broken – as recent British political history attests to.

From BBC

Rancho Santa Margarita Mayor Carol Gamble is no longer seeking reelection after admitting she attested to an inaccurate statement on nomination papers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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