Noah Webster
Affirmation
AFFIRMA'TION, noun
1. The act of affirming or asserting as true; opposed to negation or denial.
2. That which is asserted; position declared as true; averment.
3. Confirmation; ratification; an establishing of what had been before done or decreed.
4. A solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury, by persons who conscientiously decline taking an oath; which affirmation is in law equivalent to testimony given under oath.