averment
|a-ver-ment|
🇺🇸
/əˈvɜrmənt/
🇬🇧
/əˈvɜːmənt/
formal assertion (esp. legal)
Etymology
'averment' comes from the noun-forming suffix '-ment' attached to the verb 'aver' (to assert). 'Aver' entered English via Anglo-French/Old French from a Latin-derived source associated with truth or affirmation.
'aver' appeared in Anglo-French/Old French as 'averer' meaning 'to affirm, state'. The noun form appeared in Middle English as 'averment' (or similar spellings) and developed into modern English 'averment'.
Originally it denoted the act of affirming or declaring; over time it has retained that core sense but acquired a narrower legal usage referring specifically to formal allegations in pleadings.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a formal assertion or statement that something is true; an affirmation.
The committee recorded his averment that the figures were accurate.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
in law: a positive statement of fact or allegation, especially one made in a pleading.
The plaintiff's averment in the complaint was unsupported by admissible evidence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/01 14:30