affirmation
/ˌæfəˈmeɪʃən/noun
mass noun
1
- the action or process of affirming something肯定：
he nodded in affirmation
他肯定地点点头
count noun an affirmation of basic human values.对人类基本价值观的肯定。
1.1
- count noun Law a formal declaration by a person who declines to take an oath for reasons of conscience【律】（因良心原因不愿宣誓而作的正式）确认。
2
- emotional support or encouragement情感上的支持（或鼓励）：
the lack of one or both parents' affirmation leaves some children emotionally crippled.
没有父母双方或其中一方鼓励性的肯定会使得一些孩子在情感上发育不健全。
词源
late Middle English: from Latin affirmatio（n-）, from the verb affirmare （see AFFIRM）.