Also 6 ads-, assercion. [(? a. F. assertion, 14th c. in Littré), ad. L. assertiōnem, n. of action f. asser-ĕre to ASSERT; see -ION.]
† 1. The action of setting free, liberation. Obs.
1552. Huloet, Assertion, or libertie, or fredome, Vindiciæ.
a. 1707. Beveridge, Priv. Th., I. (1730), 67. Redemption from the Slavery of Sin, and Assertion into Christian Liberty.
2. The action of maintaining a cause or defending it from hostile attack: vindication. arch.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 661/2. Hys moste famous booke of the assercion of the sacramentes.
1604. W. Stoughton (title), An Assertion for true and Christian Church Policie.
1644. Milton, Educ., Wks. 1738, 135. Having my mind … half diverted in the pursuance of some other assertions.
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, I. 59. Flinching from the assertion of his daughter’s reputation.
3. Insistance upon a right or claim.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 6. The Kings of England had exercised their jurisdiction in the assertion of their regal power.
1792. Anecd. W. Pitt, III. xlii. 134. The present bill might be looked upon as a bill of concession…. At the same time it was a bill of assertion.
1876. Green, Short Hist., vii. § 5 (1882), 394. The duties … on cloth and sweet wines were an assertion of her right of arbitrary taxation.
b. Self-assertion: insistance on a recognition of one’s own rights or claims.
1847. Ld. Lindsay, Chr. Art, I. Introd. 209. The self-assertion of the Teutonic over the classic element of modern Europe.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, II. (1873), 299. The haughty and defiant self-assertion of Dante.
4. The action of declaring or positively stating; declaration, affirmation, averment.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., 411. Ech conclusioun, in to whos fynding … mannys resoun … withoute assercioun of eny other creature may come to.
1582. R. Robinson (title), Leland’s Learned and true Assertion of the Original Life, Actes and Death of … Prince Arthure.
a. 1784. Johnsoniana (1836), 399. Assertion is like an arrow shot from a long bow; the force with which it strikes depends on the strength of the arm that draws it.
1884. Church, Bacon, i. 26. To show gross credulity and looseness of assertion on the part of the Roman Catholic advocate.
5. A positive statement; a declaration, averment. † Head assertion (obs.): a fundamental principle, an axiom.
1531. Elyot, Gov. (1875), 8. Nowe to conclude my fyrste assercion or argument.
1535. Joye, Apol. Tindale, 31. Adding this adsercion of his owne brayne.
1599. Sandys, Europæ Spec. (1632), 24. So in their Art also they have certain Head Assertions, which as indemonstrable principles they urge all men to receive and hold.
1798. Ferriar, Var. Man., in Illustr. Sterne, 196. Authors have believed assertions without enquiry.
1822. Hazlitt, Table-t., II. vi. 120. A sweeping, unqualified assertion ends all controversy.
