declare

declare (oneself) for someone or something

to state one's support of someone or something. Susan declared herself for Mary's candidacy. I have not yet declared for any particular policy. Todd declared himself for the candidacy of Mary Brown for mayor.

declare (oneself) for someone or something

declare war against someone or something

and declare war on someone or something

1. Lit. to formally announce that one will fight a war with someone or some country. A group of countries declared war against the aggressor.

2. . Fig. to announce a serious campaign against a type of person or a serious problem. The president declared war against crime and criminals. The pressure group declared war on waste.

I declare (to goodness)!

Rur. What a surprise! I declare to goodness! You certainly have grown since I saw you. Tom: Jim and Sally are going to get married. Mary: Well, I declare!

I (do) declare!

Inf. I am surprised to hear that! (Old-fashioned.) Mary: I'm the new president of my sorority! Grandmother: I declare! That's very nice. A plane had landed right in the middle of the cornfield. The old farmer shook his head in disbelief. "I do declare!" he said over and over as he walked toward the plane.

declare war on

Also, declare war against. Announce one's intent to suppress or eradicate something or someone. For example, The police have declared war on drug dealing in the neighborhood, or Several gangs have declared war against each other. This usage transfers the literal sense of the term, "to state formally one's intention to carry on hostilities against another power," to a somewhat smaller scale.

declare war

1. To state formally the intention to carry on armed hostilities against.

2. To state one's intent to suppress or eradicate: declared war on drug dealing in the neighborhood.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Ascham	['æskəm]
Iakovu	-	Old Church Slavic
Philbert	-	French (Rare)
Milen	-	Bulgarian
Afzal	-	Arabic
Daley	DAY-lee	Irish, English (Rare)