attest

Etymology

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”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /əˈtɛst/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛst

Verb

attest (third-person singular simple present attests, present participle attesting, simple past and past participle attested)

1. To affirm to be correct, true, or genuine.

   When will the appraiser attest the date of the painting?

   • Addison

     facts […] attested by particular pagan authors

   • 1599 — Shakespeare, Henry V iii 1 (Act ii in First Folio edition)

     Dishonour not your Mothers: now attest that those whom you call'd Fathers, did beget you.

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. To supply or be evidence of

   Her fine work attested her ability.

   • 1992, Rudolf M. Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, page viii

     The supplementary bibliography (in Vol. VI) attests to the comprehensiveness of the effort.

   • 1599 — Shakespeare, Henry V Prologue (First Folio edition)

     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.

5. To put under oath.
6. To call to witness; to invoke.
   • Dryden

     The sacred streams which Heaven's imperial state / Attests in oaths, and fears to violate.

See also

• cite
• quote

Further reading

• attest in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• attest in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• attest at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• T-state

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

• Hyphenation: at‧test

Noun

attest n (plural attesten, diminutive attestje n)

1. certificate, attestation

Anagrams

• tastte

Etymology

From Latin attestatum

Noun

attest m (definite singular attesten, indefinite plural attester, definite plural attestene)

1. a certificate
2. a testimonial

References

• “attest” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Etymology

From Latin attestatum

Noun

attest m (definite singular attesten, indefinite plural attestar, definite plural attestane)

1. a certificate
2. a testimonial

References

• “attest” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

Noun

attest c

1. certification, authorization; certificate