affidavit (af-<<schwa>>-day-vit).

A voluntary declaration of facts written down and sworn to

by the declarant before an officer authorized to administer oaths, such as a notary public. A great
deal of evidence is submitted by affidavit, esp. in pretrial matters such as summary-judgment
motions. Cf. DECLARATION(1), (8). [Cases: Affidavits 1. C.J.S. Affidavits 26.]