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

If someone has a gender recognition certificate attesting that they are a woman, are they entitled to protection from sex discrimination under the Equality Act?

From BBC

As the man who is prepared to put millions upon millions into the women’s game attests, it clearly still fails to shine to maximum effect.

From BBC

As somebody tasked to count the ways, I can attest that the similarities are uncanny.

From Salon

And in this case, it’s also not particularly accurate because as the election results attest, this is who we are.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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