\As*sert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Asserted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Asserting}.] [L. assertus, p. p. of asserere to join or
fasten to one's self, claim, maintain; ad + serere to join or
bind together. See {Series}.]
1. To affirm; to declare with assurance, or plainly and
   strongly; to state positively; to aver; to asseverate.
         Nothing is more shameful . . . than to assert
         anything to be done without a cause.  --Ray.
2. To maintain; to defend. [Obs. or Archaic]
         That . . . I may assert Eternal Providence, And
         justify the ways of God to men.       --Milton.
         I will assert it from the scandal.    --Jer. Taylor.
3. To maintain or defend, as a cause or a claim, by words or
   measures; to vindicate a claim or title to; as, to assert
   our rights and liberties.
{To assert one's self}, to claim or vindicate one's rights or
   position; to demand recognition.
Syn: To affirm; aver; asseverate; maintain; protest;
     pronounce; declare; vindicate.
Usage: To {Assert}, {Affirm}, {Maintain}, {Vindicate}. To
       assert is to fasten to one's self, and hence to claim.
       It is, therefore, adversative in its nature. We assert
       our rights and privileges, or the cause of tree
       institutions, as against opposition or denial. To
       affirm is to declare as true. We assert boldly; we
       affirm positively. To maintain is to uphold, and
       insist upon with earnestness, whatever we have once
       asserted; as, to maintain one's cause, to maintain an
       argument, to maintain the ground we have taken. To
       vindicate is to use language and measures of the
       strongest kind, in defense of ourselves and those for
       whom we act. We maintain our assertions by adducing
       proofs, facts, or arguments; we are ready to vindicate
       our rights or interests by the utmost exertion of our
       powers.