Vocabulary Builder: Aver

Long Definition:

a·ver      /??v?r/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh–vur] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation

–verb (used with object), a·verred, a·ver·ring.

1.	to assert or affirm with confidence; declare in a positive or peremptory manner.

2.	Law. to allege as a fact.

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[Origin: 1350–1400; ME < MF averer < ML advér?re, equiv. to ad- ad- + -vér- (< L vérus true) + -?- thematic vowel + -re inf. suffix]

—Synonyms See maintain.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Short Definition: Assert

Sentences:
We can all aver that his manners are atrocious.
I will aver it again; I didn't take the cheesy poofs.

Mnemonic:
Hover craft > Assert (ass hurt).  I'm on the used hover craft lot talking to salesman.  He walks around the hover crafts, kicking the skirts and asserting their value.  Each time he makes a claim (an assertion) he pins a little button with a picture of a donkey (ass) on my rear (ass) and I yelp because it hurts.  Note: The short definition, assert, is an abstract concept and hard to picture in my mnemonic, so I convert it to a series of mnemonic symbols as well.  Now when I see the word "aver," I think "hover," and that starts my mnemonic sequence rolling and gets me to "assert."