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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Affirm \Af*firm"\ ([a^]f*f[~e]rm"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Affirmed} (-f[~e]rmd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Affirming}.] [OE.
affermen, OF. afermer, F. affirmer, affermir, fr. L.
affirmare; ad firmare to make firm, firmus firm. See
{Firm}.]
1. To make firm; to confirm, or ratify; esp. (Law), to assert
or confirm, as a judgment, decree, or order, brought
before an appellate court for review.
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2. To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to
maintain as true; -- opposed to {deny}.
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Jesus, . . . whom Paul affirmed to be alive. --Acts
xxv. 19.
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3. (Law) To declare, as a fact, solemnly, under judicial
sanction. See {Affirmation}, 4.
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Syn: To assert; aver; declare; asseverate; assure; pronounce;
protest; avouch; confirm; establish; ratify.

Usage: To {Affirm}, {Asseverate}, {Aver}, {Protest}. We
affirm when we declare a thing as a fact or a
proposition. We asseverate it in a peculiarly earnest
manner, or with increased positiveness as what can not
be disputed. We aver it, or formally declare it to be
true, when we have positive knowledge of it. We
protest in a more public manner and with the energy of
perfect sincerity. People asseverate in order to
produce a conviction of their veracity; they aver when
they are peculiarly desirous to be believed; they
protest when they wish to free themselves from
imputations, or to produce a conviction of their
innocence.
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Affirm \Af*firm"\, v. i.
1. To declare or assert positively.
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Not that I so affirm, though so it seem
To thee, who hast thy dwelling here on earth.
--Milton.
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2. (Law) To make a solemn declaration, before an authorized
magistrate or tribunal, under the penalties of perjury; to
testify by affirmation.
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