avouch
/əˈvaʊtʃ
/verb [with object] archaic
Affirm or assert: the locket contains ringlets which he avouches to be relics of a Spanish girl...
- Paulina and her friends being gone, I scarce could avouch that I had really seen them.
- Ask Wall Street and they would enthusiastically avouch that they are quite up to the task - more than able and willing.
- We might be disposed to question its authenticity, it if were not avouched by the full evidence.
Derivatives
avouchment
- No, this was a silent mutiny, a mutiny of the heart, and paradoxically, though it was never intended - but, perhaps, a kind of Karma - an avouchment of support for him.
- All these forms of avouchment will be more fully explained later in this guide, as they apply to the jurisdictions wherein they are used.
- Under no circumstances whatever should ‘A’ ever accept an avouchment from ‘B’ as to ‘C,’ unless all three be present together.
Origin
Late 15th century: from Old French avochier, from Latin advocare 'summon in defence', from ad- 'to' + vocare 'to call'.