# Davy

/ˈdeɪvi/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/davy
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a formal promise to tell the truth, usually made in a court of law. It is a short way of saying 'affidavit'.

For teachers: a formal written statement or oath made under legal authority. A colloquial shortening of 'affidavit', primarily used in British legal contexts.

## Examples

- He had to take his davy that he saw the accident.
- The witness was willing to take his davy on the facts presented before the magistrate.
- In older legal narratives, a character might offer to take their davy as a way of asserting the absolute truth of a claim in a high-stakes situation.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in the idiomatic phrase 'to take one's davy'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.