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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Afferm(e, v. Also: aferme, affearm, efferm(e. [ME. afferme (early 14th c.), OF. afermer: cf. Affirm v.]

1. tr. To strengthen by pledge or engagement; to confirm, ratify.1375 Barb. iv. 278 (quhen this cunnand wes affermit); xx. 136 (the lordis it with selys affermyt). 1410 Reg. Episc. Brechin I. 30 (the quhilk thai affermyt with ane borch). c1420 Wynt. viii. 6918 (thai affermyd [it] wyth sele); ix. 321 (thai welle affermyd this cunnand). 1513 Doug. iv. iii. 72 (Venus affermys all hir will). 1516 Reg. Great S. I. 415/1 (we … affermis to him the said office). 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII. 375 (I efferme and declair that … ). 1622-6 Bisset I. 173/23 (Proponyng of declinatouris affermis the judge).

b. To ‘fence’ a court. 1480 Bisset I. 303/1.
The quhilk day the soyttis called, and the courte affermed 1482 Chart. (Reg. H.) No. 501.
[Giving power] my courtis of the said landis to hald, begyn, afferme, and continew 1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 290/2.
With power to set, hald, efferm and begyn courtis 1532 Stirlings of Keir 348.
Owr courtis of … our said landis to fix, hald and afferm, fens and continew 1592 Misc. Spald. C. II. 119.
The suittis callit, the Court lauchfullie fensit and affermit, as vse is 1659 Forbes Baron Ct. 224.
The Court fensit and affermit 1687 Misc. Spald. C. V. 236.
The court lawfullie fenced and affermit as effeires

c. To strengthen physically. 1456 Hay II. 130.
[Abstinence] affermes all the vertues of corps naturale

2. To assert strongly or positively, to aver (that, etc.).a1400 Leg. S. ii. 633 (affermand that Criste wes Goddis sone). c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1318 (affermand that he suld thole the deid). a1500 Bk. Chess 711 (Seneca affermes and says that … ). 1549 Compl. 82/26 (prophetis affermit that Scotland and Ingland sal be vndir ane prince). 1558-66 Knox I. 452 (gave occasioun to the preacheris to efferme that … ). 1570 Leslie 233 (thay affearmed thay had nevir … ).

b. With to be or simple complement.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1342 (al affermed Thelamonyus best); 3069 (it I afferme nocht to be suthfast). c1490 Irland Asl. MS. I. 70/15. Q. Kennedy Tractive 157 (dois afferme the reale presens). a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1064 (affection dois affermd = affirm it).

3. To bring to a point or end. c1420 Wynt. i. 109.
It is my purpos tyll afferme This Tretis in tyll certane terme Ib. iii. Prol. 24.
The dayis sulde be set for terme A certane purpose for tyll afferme