affy

From Anglo-Norman afier, from Late Latin affidare.

• IPA^(key): /əˈfaɪ/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• Rhymes: -aɪ

affy (third-person singular simple present affies, present participle affying, simple past and past participle affied)

1. (obsolete, intransitive) To trust (in someone or something); to rely (on). [14th–17th c.]
   • c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:

     Marcus Andronicus, so I do affie / In thy vprightnesse and Integrity […]

2. (obsolete, transitive) To promise to marry (someone); to be engaged to. [16th–17th c.]
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:

     He, though affide unto a former love, / To whom his faith he firmely ment to hold, / […] Her graunted love, but with affection cold […]

Shortening of affidavit.

• IPA^(key): /ˈæfi/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• Rhymes: -æfi

affy (plural affies)

1. (slang) An affidavit to be signed by a contest winner to confirm eligibility.
   • 1997, Sandretto, “Singapore Contest....”, in alt.consumers.sweepstakes (Usenet):

     If you have won a monthly prize, they will send you an affy and have you send it back. Then your prize comes from a courier.

   • 1999, Suzy, “Any BIG winners?”, in alt.consumers.sweepstakes (Usenet):

     The contest ended in mid November, I got the affy Christmas eve, and I picked up the car February 4th or 5th.