affirm vs claim

affirm

verb
  • To state under a solemn promise to tell the truth which is considered legally equivalent to an oath, especially of those who have religious or other moral objections to swearing oaths; also solemnly affirm. 

  • To make firm; to confirm, or ratify; especially (law) to assert or confirm, as a judgment, decree, or order, brought before an appellate court for review. 

  • To agree, verify or concur; to answer positively. 

  • To assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to maintain as true. 

  • To support or encourage. 

claim

verb
  • To be entitled to anything; to deduce a right or title; to have a claim. 

  • To cause the loss of, usually by violent means. 

  • To demand ownership of. 

  • To demand ownership or right to use for land. 

  • To state a new fact, typically without providing evidence to prove it is true. 

  • To demand compensation or damages through the courts. 

noun
  • The right or ground of demanding. 

  • The thing claimed. 

  • A demand of ownership for previously unowned land. 

  • A demand of ownership made for something. 

  • A new statement of something one believes to be the truth, usually when the statement has yet to be verified or without valid evidence provided. 

  • A legal demand for compensation or damages. 

How often have the words affirm and claim occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )