averred; averring

transitive verb

1
: to declare positively
Mr. Murray avers that many large organizations in the private sector are run by curmudgeons like him …Joseph Epstein
2
law
a
: to verify or prove to be true in pleading a cause
b
: to allege or assert in pleading

Did you know?

Since aver contains the "truth" root, it basically means "confirm as true". You may aver anything that you're sure of. In legal situations, aver means to state positively as a fact; thus, Perry Mason's clients aver that they are innocent, while the district attorney avers the opposite. If you make such a statement while under oath, and it turns out that you lied, you may have committed the crime of perjury.

Examples of aver in a Sentence

He averred that he was innocent. “I am innocent,” he averred.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The artist also averred that Germany was turning a blind eye to Islamophobia. News Desk, Artforum, 25 Nov. 2024 Or averred that Biden was sharp as a tack and that anyone who suggested otherwise was a jerk. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The railroad avers that when events not under its control are excluded, its performance statistics significantly improve, and that NJT’s newer trains, purchased since 2018, are dramatically more reliable than the older cars in the fleet. Nolan Hicks, Curbed, 28 Oct. 2024 Curator Claire Gilman avers in the show’s catalog that this painting’s circular format may intentionally recall the porthole of a seafaring vessel. Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aver 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English averren, from Anglo-French averer, from Medieval Latin adverare to confirm as authentic, from Latin ad- + verus true — more at very entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of aver was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near aver

Cite this Entry

“Aver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aver. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

aver

verb
averred; averring
: to declare positively

Legal Definition

aver

transitive verb
averred; averring
: to assert or declare positively especially in a pleading : allege
not necessary to aver the capacity of a party to sueU.S. Code
averment noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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