Pples. averred, averring. Forms: 4–7 auer, 6–7 au- averre, 7–8 averr, 6– aver. [a. F. avérer, cogn. with Pr. averar, It. avverare:—late L. *advērāre to make true, verify, prove to be true, f. ad to (factitive) + vērus true. Sense 2 was the earlier in Fr.]
† 1. trans. To declare true, assert the truth of (a statement). Obs.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 306. We auer þis what iude seiþ of apostataes.
1602. Warner, Alb. Eng., XI. lxv. (1612), 280. Loue is a lordly Feast, he writes, and I the same auerre.
1634–46. Row, Hist. Kirk (1842), 106. That youths doe not maintaine fals opinions, howbeit averred by Aristotle or other profane authors.
† 2. To prove true, confirm, verify. Obs.
1548. (Abp.) Abbot, in Strype, Eccl. Mem., II. I. xv. 122. This lying Jesuit can shew no letter … to aver this his calumniation.
a. 1593. H. Smith, Wks. (1867), II. 60. That answer … seemeth to aver the truth of that which I say.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turks, 132. Onely so farre as shall be … by the authority of good Histories to be auerred.
1678. Trans. Crt. Spain, 52. If the Crime be averred, the Criminal will be so too.
3. Law. To prove or justify a plea; to offer to justify an exception pleaded; to make an averment. Const. as in 4.
1490. Act 4 Hen. VII., xx. The pleyntif … may averre that the said recovere … was had by covyne.
1586. J. Hooker, Girald. Irel., in Holinsh., II. 180/2. The appellant was demanded whether he would auerre his demand or not; who when he had affirmed that he would, the partie defendant … did answer as did the other, that he would auerre it by the swoord.
1676–7. Marvell, Corr., 286, Wks. 1875, II. 520. He cannot averre against the Record of his conviction.
1847. C. Addison, Contracts, I. i. § 1 (1883), 19. No one can be permitted … to aver or to prove anything in contradiction to what he has solemnly and deliberately avowed by deed.
4. To assert as a fact; to state positively, affirm. a. trans. with simple obj.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 84. What sooth thee virgin auerreth, Shee frams in Poëtry.
1691. Ray, Creation, I. (1704), 159. I shall only averr what myself have sometimes observed.
1839. G. P. R. James, Louis XIV., IV. 46. What one author avers upon the subject, another denies.
b. with complement or inf. phr.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., V. xi. The Latyn worde whyche that is referred Unto a thynge whych is substancyall, For a nowne substantyve is wel averred.
1581. Sidney, Def. Poesie (Arb.), 52. How often doe the Phisitians lye, when they auer things good for sicknesses.
1699. Bentley, Phal., 384. Which being … within the reach of my own Knowledge, I do averr to be a Calumny.
1829. I. Taylor, Enthus., iv. (1867), 100. Is a mystic prediction averred to be unfulfilled?
c. with subord. cl. Cf. quot. 1490 in 3.
1624. Gataker, Transubst., 80. Both averre that the Elements in the Eucharist after consecration retaine … the same nature and substance.
1798. Coleridge, Anc. Mar., II. iv. They all averr’d I had killed the Bird That brought the fog and mist.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xxx. The shopman averring that it was a most uncommon fit.
d. absol. quasi-intr.
1599. Greene, George a Gr. (1861), 264. But, gentle King, for so you would aver, And Edwards betters, I salute you both.
1852. Miss Yonge, Cameos, II. xiii. 145. On good authority as he avers.
5. To assert the existence or occurrence of. arch.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., V. v. 203. Auerring notes Of Chamber-hanging, Pictures.
1641. Milton, Ch. Discip., Wks. 1738, I. 15. Æsop’s Chronicles auer many stranger Accidents.
1673. Cave, Prim. Chr., I. ix. 278. Augustine both avers the custom and gives the reason.
1845. R. W. Hamilton, Pop. Educ., ix. 214. Hobbes … strongly avers this prerogative of the Ruler.
