affidavit

Where does the word "affidavit" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin affidare, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Affidavit’s story begins in Medieval Latin: affidare meant “to pledge one's faith.” To pledge one's faith, from ad- (to) and fides (faith). It reached English by 1600s as affidavit. Literally he has declared, adopted as the word for a sworn written statement. Today, affidavit means a written statement confirmed by oath, for use as evidence in court.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval affidare "to pledge one's faith", to pledge one's faith, from ad- (to) and fides (faith).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s affidavit "a sworn written statement", literally he has declared, adopted as the word for a sworn written statement.