affidavit

noun

af·​fi·​da·​vit ˌa-fə-ˈdā-vət 

: 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.

Did you know?

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.”

Did you know?

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

The goat died a day later, according to the affidavit, after convulsing and showing signs of respiratory distress. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024

Officers found a black handgun holster in the back pocket of a passenger seat, the affidavit said. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Dec. 2024

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel first reported on their accounts last week after hundreds of pages of search warrants and affidavits were unsealed. —Ashley Luthern, Journal Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024

Simpson allegedly texted, according to an affidavit. —Mollie Markowitz, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

affidavit

noun

af·​fi·​da·​vit ˌaf-ə-ˈdā-vət 

: a sworn statement in writing

Legal Definition

affidavit

noun

af·​fi·​da·​vit ˌa-fə-ˈdā-vət 

: 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