[a. F. attestation, ad. L. attestātiōn-em, n. of action f. attestāri to ATTEST: See -ATION.]
1. The action of bearing witness; the testimony borne; evidence, proof.
1598. Florio, Testatione, an attestation or bearing witnes.
1631. Massinger, Beleeve as You List, II. ii. The reasons this man urges To prove hymselfe Antiochus … And the attestation of his cuntriemen.
1788. Reid, Act. Powers, I. v. 524. No necessary truth can have its attestation from experience.
1869. Goulburn, Purs. Holiness, iv. 31. That He wrought every sort of cure in attestation of His claims.
b. Formal testimony or confirmation by signature, oath, etc.; esp. the verification of the execution of a deed or will by the signature of the testator in the presence of witnesses.
1674. Ch. & Court of Rome, 13. That strange Solemnity of Attestation, the apprecating Destruction to those of his Family.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., II. 307. The last requisite to the validity of a deed is the attestation, or execution of it in the presence of witnesses.
1824. W. Irving, T. Trav., II. 13. I bowed down, and kissed the turf, in solemn attestation of my vow.
1858. Ld. St. Leonards, Handy Bk. Prop. Law, XVIII. 136. The attestation should be … in this form:—Signed by the above-named testator, in the presence of us present at the same time, who have hereunto signed our names.
† 2. The action of calling to witness. Obs.
1547. Homilies, I. Of Swearing, G j b. When men make faithful promises with attestacion of the name of God.
1741. Betterton, in Oldys, Eng. Stage, vi. 91. In Swearing or … Attestation of any Thing to the Verity of what you say.
3. The administration of an oath, e.g., of the oath of allegiance to a military recruit.
1812. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., IX. 153. They are to receive pay from the date of their attestation, but no bounty.
1844. Regul. & Ord. Army, 397. Showing the date and term of his enlistment, and of his attestation.
