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avowry

noun
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avow·​ry | \ -au̇(ə)rē, -ri \
plural -es

Definition of avowry

1a obsolete : advocacy, patronage, protection
b : advocate, patron especially : patron saint
2 : the act of one who avows something especially, law : an acknowledgment of having taken the plaintiff’s property that is set out in the defendant’s pleading in an action of replevin and that includes the justification for doing so — compare cognizance sense 5

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History and Etymology for avowry

Middle English avowrie, from Middle French avouerie protection, patronage, from Old French, from avouer to avow + -erie -ery

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Cite this Entry

“Avowry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avowry. Accessed 22 Oct. 2021.

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