affy

affy

English

Etymology 1

From Anglo-Norman afier, from Late Latin affidare.

Verb

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. 1590, William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus, First Folio 1623, I.1:

     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, The Faerie Queene, IV.8:

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

Etymology 2

Shortening of affidavit.

Noun

affy (plural affies)

1. (slang) An affidavit to be signed by a contest winner to confirm eligibility.
   • 1997, "Sandretto", Singapore Contest.... (on newsgroup alt.consumers.sweepstakes)

     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? (on newsgroup alt.consumers.sweepstakes)

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