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

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

From BBC

That is partly because the laws are extremely strict: People registering to vote must attest to their citizenship and are informed they are subject to criminal prosecution if they lie.

From Slate

Surviving on tour can be a brutal business, as fellow Englishman Eddie Pepperell can attest.

From BBC

As anyone who watched the Jan. 6 committee hearings or has read some of the indictment materials from special prosecutor Jack Smith can attest, Trump spent the last months of 2020 working the phones, conspiring with lackeys and pushing propaganda with a level of energy and sharpness he can no longer summon up for a 15-minute interview.

From Salon

To be sure, proper classification alone wouldn’t eradicate all discrimination, as people whose wheelchairs have been destroyed during air travel can attest.

From Slate

Related Words

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