Declare

[imp. & p. p. DECLARED; p. pr. & vb. n. DECLARING.] [Lat. declarare, from de and clarare, to make clear, from clarus, clear, bright; Fr. déclarer, Pr. & Sp. declarar, It. dichiarare. See CLEAR.]

1Sense 1. To free from obscurity; to make plain; to clear. [Obs.] “To declare this a little.” Boyle.

2Sense 2. To make known by language; to manifest or communicate plainly in any way; to publish; to proclaim.

This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son. Milton.

The heavens declare the glory of God. Ps. xix. 1.

3Sense 3. To make declaration of; to assert; to affirm; as, he declares the story to be false.

4Sense 4. (Com.) To make full statement of, as goods, &c., for the purpose of paying taxes, duties, &c.

To declare one's self, to avow one's opinion; to show openly what one thinks, or which side he espouses.

v. i. 1. To make a declaration, or an open and explicit avowal; to proclaim one's self; to pronounce adhesion in favor of a party, &c.;—often with for or against: as, victory declares for the allies.

Like fawning courtiers, for success they wait, And then come smiling, and declare for fate. Dryden.

2Sense 2. (Law.) To state the plaintiff's cause of action at law in a legal form; as, the plaintiff declares in debt or trespass.