word of the day: asseverate

word of the day: asseverate

Miss Bianca and Bernard of the Mouse Prisoners’ Aid Society are on the hunt for a missing little girl. They have tromped through a sewer tunnel that’s in the process of being dug and have come out at a guardhouse where they run into an old acquaintance, a water-rat.

‘May I ask whether during the last few hours — say two or three — you happen to have observed a little girl, probably carrying a doll, emerge from the hole just behind us?’ [asked Miss Bianca.]

The water-rat reflected.

‘Two-three hours, is it? Four at least I’ve been on station here . . . Aye, I’d have observed she all right!’

Miss Bianca held her breath . . . 

‘Certain sure!’ he decided.

‘But did you?’ pressed Miss Bianca eagerly.

‘No,’ said the water-rat.

‘But are you quite, quite positive?’ pressed Miss Bianca.

‘Naught larger than an earthworm,’ asseverated the water-rat, ‘and certainly carrying no doll!’

[ellipses in original]

definition (Merriam-Webster): to affirm or declare positively or earnestly

source: 

Miss Bianca and the Bridesmaid

by Margery Sharp

illustrated by Erik Blegveld

1972. Little, Brown & Co., Boston MA