disaffirm, v.
(dɪsəˈfɜːm)
[f. dis- 6 + affirm v.]
trans. To contradict, deny, negative: the contrary of to affirm 4.
| 1548 Gest Pr. Masse 97 Disaffyrmynge the masse sacryfyce to bee propiciatorye. 1615 Davies Reports Cases Pref. (T.), Neither doth Glanvil or Bracton disaffirm the antiquity of the reports of the law. 1816 Sir R. Dallas in Taunton Rep. VI. 529 The suggestion that this was a voluntary payment, is disaffirmed by the averment of compulsion. |
b. Law. To annul or reverse (some former decision, etc.); to repudiate (a settlement or agreement): the contrary of affirm 1, 2, confirm.
| 1531 Dial. Laws Eng. i. xxvi. (1638) 46 Therefore..the said Statute neither affirmeth nor disaffirmeth the title. 1634 Earl of Strafford Lett. & Disp. (1739) I. 298 Leaving the other..in the State they now are, either affirmed or disaffirmed. 1883 N.Y. Tribune XLIII. 5 The Supreme Court of the United States has disaffirmed the view of the Post Office Department and affirmed that of the Company. 1890 Sir A. Kekewich in Law Times' Rep. LXIII. 682/1 She could disaffirm the settlement on attaining twenty-one. |