Avouch
to make frank acknowledgment or affirmation of; declare or assert with positiveness.
to assume responsibility for; vouch for; guarantee.
to admit; confess.
Historical Examples
One of the most sensible and practical of all proverbs, as every body’s experience can avouch.
The International Monthly, Volume 5, No. 4, April, 1852 Various
But it is not so, as every well-constituted mind will avouch.
Impressions of America Tyrone Power
This Zeno will avouch for me, and Crato too, who confine sick persons to a fish diet, as of all others the lightest sort of meat.
Essays and Miscellanies Plutarch
Who would not avouch the honesty of John L. Stephens after reading his travels?
The Collector Henry T. Tuckerman
I am well trained in navigation, as Sir Richard Grenville can avouch.
The Golden Galleon Robert Leighton
“There can be no better rede, and we will all avouch it,” said the citizens.
The Fair Maid of Perth Sir Walter Scott
While we proclaim him to be such an one, we avouch nothing but what we are ready to establish by solid proof.
Letters of John Calvin, Volume I (of 4) Jules Bonnet
“Before God and man, I will avouch the deed,” answered Endicott.
The Little Book of the Flag Eva March Tappan
You will think you have made no offence, if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
Measure for Measure William Shakespeare
Love is not blind in this case, Alice dear, I avouch it; but it has the gift of prevision also.
The Last of the Vikings John Bowling
verb (transitive) (archaic)
to vouch for; guarantee
to acknowledge
to assert
v.
late 15c., from Middle French avochier “call upon as authority,” in Old French “call (to court), advocate, plead (a case),” from Latin advocare “call to” as a witness (see advocate).
Avouch, which is no longer in common use, means guarantee, solemnly aver, prove by assertion, maintain the truth or existence of, vouch for …. Avow means own publicly to, make no secret of, not shrink from admitting, acknowledge one’s responsibility for …. Vouch is now common only in the phrase vouch for, which has taken the place of avouch in ordinary use, & means pledge one’s word for …. [Fowler]
Related: Avouched; avouching.
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to make frank acknowledgment or affirmation of; declare or assert with positiveness. to assume responsibility for; vouch for; guarantee. to admit; confess. Historical Examples However, said he, if this which he avouches be true, let us arm and out. The Chautauquan, Vol. III, March 1883 The Chautauquan Literary and Scientific Circle As the Old Testament […]
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to declare frankly or openly; own; acknowledge; confess; admit: He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances. Contemporary Examples And if they refuse to so avow, suddenly finding themselves with a challenge from the right? Impeaching Obama May Be Absurd, but That Won’t Stop the Right-Wing Fringe Michael Tomasky August 27, 2013 And if they […]
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an open statement of affirmation; frank acknowledgment or admission. Historical Examples He could not find words with which to make his avowal or to present his appeal. Miss Billy Eleanor H. Porter The very fact that they come to us for help is an avowal of their honesty. Grace Harlowe’s Return to Overton Campus Jessie […]
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acknowledged; declared: an avowed enemy. to declare frankly or openly; own; acknowledge; confess; admit: He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances. Contemporary Examples An avowed liberal, he seeks to explain his critique of conservatives in psychology and biology. David’s Book Club David Frum February 20, 2012 He is, in short, an avowed foe of […]
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acknowledged; declared: an avowed enemy. Contemporary Examples The endgame for Hamas, avowedly in both word and deed, is Jewish genocide. Numbers Don’t Tell the Mideast Story Thane Rosenbaum July 9, 2014 Domestically, the former governor offers an avowedly nationalistic agenda, focused on American self-sufficiency. Iowa Frontrunner Mike Huckabee Talks to The Daily Beast Lloyd Green […]