Attest vs Testify - What's the difference?
attest | testify | Related terms |
To affirm to be correct, true, or genuine.
* Addison
* 1599 — Shakespeare, iii 1'' (Act ii in ''First Folio edition)
To certify by signature or oath
To certify in an official capacity.
To supply or be evidence of
*
* 1599 — Shakespeare, Prologue'' (''First Folio edition)
To put under oath.
To call to witness; to invoke.
* Dryden
To make a declaration, or give evidence, under oath.
* 2014 , (Ruzwana Bashir), "
* Bible, Numbers xxxv. 30
To make a statement based on personal knowledge or faith.
* Bible, John iii. 11
Testify is a related term of attest.
As verbs the difference between attest and testify
is that attest is to affirm to be correct, true, or genuine while testify is to make a declaration, or give evidence, under oath.attest
English
Verb
(en verb)- When will the appraiser attest the date of the painting?
- facts attested by particular pagan authors
- Dishonour not your Mothers: now attest that those whom you call'd Fathers, did beget you.
- You must attest your will in order for it to be valid.
- Her fine work attested her ability.
- The supplementary bibliography (in Vol. VI) attests to the comprehensiveness of the effort.
- O pardon : since a crooked Figure may / Attest in little place a Million, / And let us, Cyphers to this great Accompt, / On your imaginarie Forces worke.
- The sacred streams which Heaven's imperial state / Attests in oaths, and fears to violate.
Derived terms
* attestation * attested * attestmentSee also
* cite * quoteExternal links
* * * ----testify
English
Verb
(en-verb) (intransitive'' or ''transitive )The untold story of how a culture of shame perpetuates abuse. I know, I was a victim", The Guardian , 29 August 2014:
- It was only after a decade away from Skipton that I was finally able to garner the courage to return and testify against my abuser.
- One witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
- We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.