avowal
UK: əˈvaʊəl | US: əˈvaʊəl
n. a formal or explicit statement of acknowledgment, admission, or affirmation
The word "avowal" derives from the Old French "avouer" (to acknowledge or confess), which itself comes from the Latin "advocare" (to call or summon as a witness). The root "avow" retains the sense of public declaration, while the suffix "-al" (from Latin "-alis") transforms the verb into a noun denoting the act or result of avowing. This reflects a legal or solemn context, where declarations carry weight.
Her avowal of support surprised the committee.
The suspect’s avowal of guilt ended the trial.
He made a public avowal of his religious beliefs.
The document included an avowal of their shared principles.
Silence is not always an avowal of agreement.