An archaic or dialect term meaning to betroth or pledge one's faith; to make a binding promise or vow.
From Old French 'afier,' combining 'a-' and 'fier' (to trust or pledge). Related to 'faith,' this word captured the mutual trust involved in betrothal contracts in medieval times.
Before formal marriage licenses existed, 'affiying' was how people legally bound themselves—a witnessed promise meant you were legally married even without a priest, which is why Shakespeare's comedies have so many plot complications around secret affies.
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