affidavit

[ af-i-dey-vit ]

noun

, Law.

1. a written declaration upon oath made before an authorized official.

affidavit

/ ˌæfɪˈdeɪvɪt /

noun

1. law a declaration in writing made upon oath before a person authorized to administer oaths, esp for use as evidence in court

Other Words From

• preaf·fi·davit noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of affidavit¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Medieval Latin affīdāvit “(he) has declared on oath,” 3rd-person singular perfect of affīdāre “to declare an oath”; affiance

Word History and Origins

Origin of affidavit¹

C17: from Medieval Latin, literally: he declares on oath, from affīdare to trust (oneself) to; see affiance

Example Sentences

According to a police affidavit obtained by The Washington Post, Fred Farmer’s cellphone was never in the woods.

From Washington Post

All five in the Kansas City group wore pieces of orange tape on their headgear or backpacks, the affidavit alleged, and rolls of tape were carried at one point by Kuehne.

From Washington Post

Nordean later continued, “The police are starting to become a problem,” adding in frustration, “we’ve had their back for years,” the affidavit charged.

From Washington Post

While the FBI wrote in the affidavit that Williams appeared to have fled, Ulrich said a police officer investigating the former boyfriend’s alleged abuse directed her to change the number.

From Washington Post

They are taking very little evidence, creating false affidavits … ignoring all of the collections attempts that have happened for the past six to eight years.

From Washington Post

The FBI raided his home in 2000 with an affidavit questioning his use of $200,000 from his white supremacist fundraising.

From The Daily Beast

But because he is still a practicing pastor, his name was instead blocked from her publicized affidavit.

From The Daily Beast

“The defendant told me he did not want to go back so jail,” the affidavit says.

From The Daily Beast

“He advised me that he did not have his license on him,” Randolph wrote in her affidavit.

From The Daily Beast

“I stopped and yelled on my handheld radio for help,” the affidavit reports.

From The Daily Beast

The doctor who had attended his wife during her confinement was indisposed, and was represented only by an affidavit.

From Project Gutenberg

I got his affidavit, and we parted the best of friends, he urging me to call at his shanty and see Mary Jane and the kids.

From Project Gutenberg

There is one very obscure part in this statement, namely, the reference to the former affidavit and the matter of the bedstaff.

From Project Gutenberg

"Sign the affidavit," the agent said and pushed a sheet of paper toward him.

From Project Gutenberg

He denied having made a demand of two thousand guineas; but the Rev. Mr. Foster contradicted him in an affidavit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• oath
• testimony