aver

 
Pronunciation: /əˈvəː/

verb (avers, averring, averred)

[reporting verb] formal
  • state or assert to be the case: [with clause]: he averred that he was innocent of the allegations [with direct speech]: ‘I don’t have to do anything—it’s his problem,’ Rory averred
  • [with object] Law allege as a fact in support of a plea: the defendant does not aver any performance by himself

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'declare or confirm to be true'): from Old French averer, based on Latin ad 'to' (implying 'cause to be') + verus 'true'