asseveration
(əˌsɛvəˈreɪʃən)
[ad. L. assevērātiōn-em, n. of action f. assevērāre: see assever and -ation. Cf. It. asseueratione (Florio 1611).]
1. The action of asseverating; solemn affirmation, emphatic assertion, positive declaration, avouchment.
| 1564 Brief Exam. ****** ij b, You so confidently bare the matter downe with your vndoubted asseueration. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. i. 26 Men ought..to propound things sincerely, with more or lesse asseueration, as they stand in a man's own iudgement, prooued more or lesse. 1781 Cowper Convers. 59 Asseveration blustering in your face, Makes contradiction such a hopeless case. |
2. That which is asseverated; a solemn or emphatic declaration or assertion.
| a 1556 Cranmer Wks. I. 67 Such abominable and beastly asseverations as you never heard. 1658 T. Wall God's Revenge 25 The wise man's constant asseveration, by pride only cometh contention. 1753 Smollett Ct. Fathom (1784) 152/2 Incensed at this asseveration, which he was not prepared to refute. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 520 In spite of the solemn asseverations of his wife and his servants. |
3. Emphatic confirmation of a statement; a word or phrase used to express confirmation; an oath.
| 1602 T. Fitzherbert Apol. 11 a, I do first make the same asseueration as before vpon my Saluation. 1644 Bulwer Chiron. 57 Both Hands smitten together..doth affirme with Rhetoricall asseveration. a 1675 Sterry Freed. Will 167 It is brought..with a twofold Asseveration; ‘Yea, even.’ 1841 Dickens Barn. Rudge (C.D. ed.) 146 The sergeant rejoined with many choice asseverations that he didn't. |