affidavit

noun

af·​fi·​da·​vit ˌa-fə-ˈdā-vət How to pronounce affidavit (audio)
: a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation (see affirmation sense 2) before an authorized magistrate or officer
The witness's affidavit was presented to the court as evidence.

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Promises, Promises: The History of Affidavit, Affiance, & Fiancé

Affidavit refers to a written promise, and its Latin roots connect it to another kind of promise in English. It comes from a past tense form of the Latin verb affidare, meaning “to pledge”; in Latin, affidavit translates to “he or she has made a pledge.”

Affidare is also the root of affiance, an archaic English noun meaning “trust, faith, confidence,” “marriage contract or promise,” or a meaning that has completely fallen from use, “close or intimate relationship.” More familiar to modern English speakers is the verb affiance, meaning “to promise in marriage” or “to betroth.” It usually appears as a fancy-sounding participial adjective:

I like to give affianced friends a copy of Rebecca Mead’s book “One Perfect Day,” which exposes the ridiculous wedding industry.
—Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist, 7 October 2014

Affiance came through French to English in the 14th century, and, nearly 500 years later, the related French words fiancé and fiancée were added to English. Etymologically speaking, a fiancé or fiancée is a “promised one.”

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In Latin, affidavit means "he (she) has sworn an oath", and an affidavit is always a sworn written document. If it contains a lie, the person making it may be prosecuted. Affidavits are often used in court when it isn't possible for someone to appear in person. Police officers must usually file an affidavit with a judge to get a search warrant. Affidavits (unlike similar signed statements called depositions) are usually made without an opposing lawyer being present and able to ask questions.

Examples of affidavit in a Sentence

We have a signed affidavit stating that the two men were seen entering the building.
Recent Examples on the Web According to the affidavit, investigators found video evidence on Kaitlynn Williams’ cell phone dated Dec. 2 that showed the teen allegedly standing in his bedroom with athletic tape around his wrists. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 20 Mar. 2024 The man who had been robbed then used his cellphone to record the vehicle, according to the affidavit. Peter Hermann, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 The affidavit references Worley sending other girls illicit messages via Snapchat. Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 14 Mar. 2024 His wallet also contained a student pilot's license, the affidavit said. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 Miller was also seen running and shooting while between two people in the crowd, the affidavits say. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Doran was later arrested in Bedford, Pa., after allegedly speeding and attempting to flee the Pennsylvania State Police in his mother’s vehicle, according to the affidavit. Christine Pelisek, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 On one side of the scuffle was Mays, the affidavits say, who was seen getting into a verbal argument with a group standing several feet away near Pershing and Kessler roads. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Zambrano lived in a mobile home park on Colfax Avenue in Aurora, according to the affidavit. Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'affidavit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin affīdāvit "he/she has made a pledge," third person singular perfect indicative active of affīdāre — more at affiance entry 1

First Known Use

1515, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of affidavit was in 1515

Dictionary Entries Near affidavit

Cite this Entry

“Affidavit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affidavit. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

affidavit

noun
af·​fi·​da·​vit ˌaf-ə-ˈdā-vət How to pronounce affidavit (audio)
: a sworn statement in writing

Legal Definition

affidavit

noun
af·​fi·​da·​vit ˌa-fə-ˈdā-vət How to pronounce affidavit (audio)
: a sworn statement in writing made especially under oath or on affirmation before an authorized magistrate or officer compare deposition, examination
Etymology

Medieval Latin, he/she has pledged faith, third singular perfect of affidare see affiant

More from Merriam-Webster on affidavit

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