Ăf'fi-dā'vit, n.

n. [Lat. affidavit, he made oath, perfect tense of affidare, equiv. to fidem dare, Pr. affidar, afizar, afiar, It. affidare, O. Sp. afiar, O. Fr. affier, offer, from Lat. ad and fides, faith.] (Law.) A sworn statement in writing; a declaration or statement in writing, signed and made upon oath before an authorized magistrate. Bouvier. Burrill.

☞ It is always made ex parte, and without cross-examination, and in this differs from a deposition. The term is also applied to statements made on affirmation.

Synonyms—Deposition. See DEPOSITION.