Aver, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Averred (p. pr. & vb. n. Averring.]
Etymology: [F. avérer, LL. adverare, averare; L. ad + versus true. See Verity.]
1. To assert, or prove, the truth of. [Obs.]
2. (Law)
To avouch or verify; to offer to verify; to prove or justify. See Averment.
3. To affirm with confidence; to declare in a positive manner, as in confidence of asserting the truth. It is sufficient that the very fact hath its foundation in truth, as I do seriously aver is the case. Fielding. Then all averred I had killed the bird. Coleridge.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To assert; affirm; asseverate. See Affirm.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Aver, n.
A work horse, or working ox. [Obs. or Dial. Eng.]
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for aver; he lists it under allege, avow, state.
Where he writes about it:
Avow and avouch take a direct object; aver is followed by a conjunction: a man avows his faith, avouches a deed, avers that he was present. — from avow
Affirm has less of egotism than assert (as seen in the word self-assertion), coming nearer to aver. — from state
To aver is to state positively what is within one's own knowledge or matter of deep conviction. — from state