I. A.. Lit., to do any thing with earnestness, to do or pursue earnestly (opp. jocari, Cic. Brut. 85, 293; rare in early Latin; “syn.: affirmo, confirmo, assero, dico): quae est ista defensio? utrum adseveratur in hoc an tentatur?” is this matter conducted in earnest? Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 10.—Hence, of discourse, to assert strongly or firmly, to declare positively, to affirm (in the class. per. only in prose; with this word in this sense, cf. the Engl. to assure; the Germ. versichern; the Gr. ἰσχυρίζομαι, βεβαιόω; and the Lat. confirmo, adfirmo): neminem eorum haec adseverare audias, * Plaut. Mil. 3, 1, 164: “pulchre adseverat sese ab Oppianico destitutum,” Cic. Clu. 26, 72: “unum illud firmissime adseverabat in exsilium se iturum,” id. Att. 10, 14: “periti rerum adseverant non ferre (Arabiam) tantum, etc.,” Plin. 12, 18, 41, § 83 Jan (others adstruxerunt, v. astruo fin.): “Halicarnasii mille et ducentos per annos nullo motu terrae nutavisse sedes suas adseveraverant,” Tac. A. 4, 55; 6, 28; 12, 42; 14, 16; id. H. 2, 80: “constantissime adseveravit fore, ut etc.,” Suet. Vesp. 5.—Also, de aliquā re: “neque hoc meum, de quo tanto opere hoc libro adseveravi, umquam adfirmabo esse verius quam tuum,” Cic. Or. 71, 237: “quem ad modum adversarius de quāque re adseveret,” id. Brut. 57, 208: “neminem ullā de re posse contendere neque adseverare,” id. Ac. 2, 11, 35.—Of inanimate things, to make known, to show, prove, demonstrate: “adseverant magni artus Germanicam originem,” Tac. Agr. 11.—
B. In Tac., of conduct (cf. asseveratio): “viri gravitatem adseverantes,” assuming an air of gravity, Tac. A. 13, 18. —
II. In App., to make grave or serious: “frontem,” App. M. 3, p. 135, 10, and 8, p. 203, 24.—Advv.: adsĕvēranter and adsĕ-vērātē , with asseveration, earnestly, emphatically.
A. Form adsĕvēranter : “loqui valde adseveranter,” Cic. Att. 15, 19, 2. —Comp.: “Haec Antiochus fere multo etiam adseverantius (dixit),” Cic. Ac. 2, 19, 61.—
