AFFIRMATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does affirmation mean? 

• AFFIRMATION (noun)
  The noun AFFIRMATION has 4 senses:

1. a statement asserting the existence or the truth of something

2. the act of affirming or asserting or stating something

3. (religion) a solemn declaration that serves the same purpose as an oath (if an oath is objectionable to the person on religious or ethical grounds)

4. a judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was correct and should stand

  Familiarity information: AFFIRMATION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• AFFIRMATION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A statement asserting the existence or the truth of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

affirmation; avouchment; avowal

Hypernyms ("affirmation" is a kind of...):

assertion; asseveration; averment (a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "affirmation"):

reaffirmation; reassertion (renewed affirmation)

professing; profession (an open avowal (true or false) of some belief or opinion)

affirmative (a reply of affirmation)

Derivation:

affirm (to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of affirming or asserting or stating something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

affirmation; assertion; statement

Hypernyms ("affirmation" is a kind of...):

speech act (the use of language to perform some act)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "affirmation"):

say-so (one chap's arbitrary assertion)

Derivation:

affirm (to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true)

affirm (say yes to)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(religion) a solemn declaration that serves the same purpose as an oath (if an oath is objectionable to the person on religious or ethical grounds)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("affirmation" is a kind of...):

commitment; dedication (a message that makes a pledge)

Domain category:

faith; religion; religious belief (a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "affirmation"):

profession (affirmation of acceptance of some religion or faith)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was correct and should stand

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("affirmation" is a kind of...):

judgement; judgment; judicial decision ((law) the determination by a court of competent jurisdiction on matters submitted to it)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Antonym:

reversal (a judgment by a higher court that the judgment of a lower court was incorrect and should be set aside)

Derivation:

affirm (establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts)

 Context examples 

When the reporter pointed out to him that there seemed little difference between the two schools, Martin had shrugged his shoulders in silent affirmation.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

That is saying too much: such hazardous affirmations are a proof of the excitement under which you labour.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Kerfoot, thus directly addressed, was startled into dropping his knife on the floor, though he managed to grunt affirmation.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Messner nodded affirmation.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He changed the course, and I signalled affirmation when the speck showed dead ahead.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)