an underused word, I think.a·ver (-vûr)
tr.v. a·verred, a·ver·ring, a·vers
1. To affirm positively; declare.
2. Law
a. To assert formally as a fact.
b. To justify or prove.
[Middle English averren, from Old French averer, from Vulgar Latin *advrre : Latin ad-, ad- + Latin vrus, true; see wr-o- in Indo-European roots.]
a·verment n.
a·verra·ble adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Verb 1. aver - report or maintain; "He alleged that he was the victim of a crime"; "He said it was too late to intervene in the war"; "The registrar says that I owe the school money"
allege, say
plead - make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts
assert, asseverate, maintain - state categorically
2. aver - to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true; "Before God I swear I am innocent"
avow, swan, swear, affirm, assert, verify
hold - assert or affirm; "Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good"
claim, take - lay claim to; as of an idea; "She took credit for the whole idea"
attest - authenticate, affirm to be true, genuine, or correct, as in an official capacity; "I attest this signature"
declare - state firmly; "He declared that he was innocent"
declare - state emphatically and authoritatively; "He declared that he needed more money to carry out the task he was charged with"
protest - affirm or avow formally or solemnly; "The suspect protested his innocence"
assure, tell - inform positively and with certainty and confidence; "I tell you that man is a crook!"
www.freedictionary.com
I remember it was on Gunsmoke the TV show I first heard this word,When Doc said he would aver his patient had such and such disease, Festus said to Doc: "Doc even yer little words are big words."
Katy