attest
verb/əˈtɛst/
Etymology PIE word *tréyes Borrowed from Middle French attester, from Latin attestor (“to witness to, bear witness”), from at-, combining form of ad (“to”) + testor (“to bear witness”), from testis (“a witness”).
1
To affirm to be correct, true, or genuine.
- When will the appraiser attest the date of the painting?
- Dishonour not your Mothers: now attest that those whom you call'd Fathers, did beget you.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
2 more examples
- [W]e have already ſeen many particular facts vvhich are recorded in holy vvrit, atteſted by particular Pagan Authors: […]a. 1720 (date written), Joseph Addison, “Section III. The Providence of God.”, in The Evidences of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], published 1730, →OCLC, subsection VII, page 25:
- As the Wildlings can attest, there’s already new life even north of the wall, poking up through the ice. Winter only lasts so long.2019 May 19, Alex McLevy, “The final Game Of Thrones brings a pensive but simple meditation about stories (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club, archived from the original on 22 May 2019:
2
To certify by signature or oath.
- You must attest your will in order for it to be valid.
3
To certify in an official capacity.
4
Ambitransitive To supply or be evidence of.
- Her fine work attested her ability.
- O pardon : since a crooked Figure may / Attest in little place a Million, / And let us, Cyphers to this great Accompt, / On your imaginarie Forces worke.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act PROLOGUE, (please specify the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)]:
1 more example
- The supplementary bibliography (in Vol. VI) attests to the comprehensiveness of the effort.1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page viii:
5
To put under oath.
6
Obsolete To call to witness; to invoke.
- The sacred streams which Heaven's imperial state / Attests in oaths, and fears to violate.1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
- Derived terms
- attestability, attestable, attestation, attested, attestive, attestment, coattest, reattest, unattestable