Etymologically
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affirmo

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:03. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [afˈfɪr.moː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [afˈfir.mo][1]

Forms

affirmō (present infinitive affirmāre, perfect active affirmāvī, supine affirmātum); first conjugation[1] It is also spelled adfirmō.[2]

Etymology

It is from ad- and firmō “to strengthen”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero, of asserting.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Cicero it meant to assert positively, affirm, swear, promise, and in Livy to confirm.[2] In Quintilian a word or gesture expresses affirmation, and in Apuleius it meant to strengthen physically.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to affirm, prove, support, strengthen.[5] It survives in Italian affermare, French affirmer and Spanish afirmar, and through Old French it gave English affirm about 1300, first “to decide upon”.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of asserting.[2][4]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of confirming.[2][4]
  • c. 1300 – English affirm is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To confirm.[2]
  2. To assert, affirm; to swear.[2]
  3. To express affirmation.[2]
  4. To strengthen.[2]

Word family

  • affirmātiō
  • affirmātīvus
  • affirmator
  • affirmanter
  • affirmātē

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson