assert-v; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: express and maintain that a claim is true

Examples:
He asserted his innocence to the gathered crowd.
She asserted that she had never seen the man before.
He asserts that she stole money from him.

Mappings:
VerbNet: conjecture-29.5-2
FrameNet: Statement
PropBank: assert.03
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 2, 4

Sense Number 2: exercise that which is in one's right or power to do

Commentary: Includes: ASSERT ONESELF Syntax Is: NP1 ASSERT NP2

Examples:
He asserted his Fifth Amendment rights and refused to testify.
During Cold War, the Allies asserted their right to move freely between the two Berlins.
She very rarely asserts her authority over the children.
The new management quickly began to assert itself after the takeover.
I really must assert myself more in meetings.
The relationship went well until their age difference began to assert itself.
Another seemingly impossible problem asserted itself here.

Mappings:
VerbNet: reflexive_appearance-48.1.2
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: assert.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
assert_oneself 1

Sense Number 3: say - as in a dialogue

Commentary:
NOTE: Use: Quotative (e.g.: she said, 'X'; 'X,' she continued; 'X,' he whispered)

Examples:
The boy asserted, "We are supposed to help, not hurt!"

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: Statement
PropBank: assert.02