affirm
/əˈfɜːm/verb
1
- reporting verb state as a fact; assert strongly and publicly肯定; 断言, 声明：
with obj. he affirmed the country's commitment to peace他声明该国对和平的承诺
with clause they affirmed that policies were to be judged by their contribution to social justice他们声称各项政策要由它们对社会正义的作用效果来检验
with direct speech 'Pessimism, ' she affirmed, 'is the most rational view. '“悲观主义,"她断言道, “是最为理性的观点。”
1.1
- with obj. declare one's support for; uphold; defend宣称拥护; 支持; 为…辩护：
the referendum affirmed the republic's right to secede.
公民投票支持共和国退出的权利。
1.2
- with obj. Law accept or confirm the validity of (a judgement or agreement); ratify【律】接受, 认可（判决, 协议）; 批准。
1.3
- no obj. Law make a formal declaration rather than taking an oath【律】不宣誓而提供正式证词。
2
- with obj. offer (someone) emotional support or encouragement给予（某人）情感支持（或鼓励）：
there are five common ways parents fail to affirm their children
通常有五种情况家长做不到去肯定孩子
good teachers know that students need to be both affirmed and challenged.
优秀的教师懂得学生既需要正面肯定又需要受到质疑。
派生词
affirmatory
adjectiveaffirmer
noun词源
Middle English （in the sense 'make firm'）： via Old French from Latin affirmare, from ad- 'to'+firmus 'strong'.