Attests

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əˈtɛsts/

Definitions

1. Provides evidence that something is true or real ; officially certifies or confirms the validity or authenticity of something
2. Acts as a witness to prove a fact ; formally confirms or endorses as genuine or accurate
3. Gives proof or testimony supporting a claim ; certifies something by an official statement or signature

Etymology: "Attests" is the third-person singular present form of "attest", so the verb itself is the thing to explain. "Attest" comes from Middle French "attester", which took it from Latin "attestari", meaning to bear witness to something. Latin built that from "ad", meaning "to", and "testari", to bear witness, which in turn grew from "testis", a witness. That last word is the one worth noticing. The same root sits behind "testify", "testimony" and "test", so an attestation is at heart a witness's statement offered in support of a claim. When a document is attested, someone has put their own word behind it, and the verb carries that sense of personal testimony into everyday use: a receipt, a signature or a result is said to attest to something when it serves as proof that the thing is true.

Synonyms: confirms, verifies, testifies

Antonyms: denies, disproves