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ev·i·dence 
Audio Help [ev-i-duhns] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -denced, -denc·ing.
Audio Help [ev-i-duhns] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -denced, -denc·ing. –noun
–verb (used with object)
—Idiom
| 1. | that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof. |
| 2. | something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign: His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever. |
| 3. | Law. data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects. |
| 4. | to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest: He evidenced his approval by promising his full support. |
| 5. | to support by evidence: He evidenced his accusation with incriminating letters. |
| 6. | in evidence, plainly visible; conspicuous: The first signs of spring are in evidence. |
—Synonyms 3. information, deposition, affidavit. Evidence, exhibit, testimony, proof refer to information furnished in a legal investigation to support a contention. Evidence is any information so given, whether furnished by witnesses or derived from documents or from any other source: Hearsay evidence is not admitted in a trial. An exhibit in law is a document or article that is presented in court as evidence: The signed contract is Exhibit A. Testimony is usually evidence given by witnesses under oath: The jury listened carefully to the testimony. Proof is evidence that is so complete and convincing as to put a conclusion beyond reasonable doubt: proof of the innocence of the accused. 4. demonstrate.
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
evidence
To learn more about evidence visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| ev·i·dence
Audio Help (ěv'ĭ-dəns) Pronunciation Key
n.
tr.v. ev·i·denced, ev·i·denc·ing, ev·i·denc·es
[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin ēvidentia, from Latin ēvidēns, ēvident-, obvious; see evident.] |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
| evidence | |
noun | |
| 1. | your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief; "the evidence that smoking causes lung cancer is very compelling" |
| 2. | an indication that makes something evident; "his trembling was evidence of his fear" |
| 3. | (law) all the means by which any alleged matter of fact whose truth is investigated at judicial trial is established or disproved |
verb | |
| 1. | provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes; "His high fever attested to his illness"; "The buildings in Rome manifest a high level of architectural sophistication"; "This decision demonstrates his sense of fairness" [syn: attest] |
| 2. | provide evidence for; "The blood test showed that he was the father"; "Her behavior testified to her incompetence" [syn: testify] |
| 3. | give evidence; "he was telling on all his former colleague" [syn: tell] |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
evidence1 [ˈevidəns] noun
information etc that gives reason for believing something; proof (eg in a law case)
Example: Have you enough evidence (of his guilt) to arrest him?
evidence2 [ˈevidəns] nounExample: Have you enough evidence (of his guilt) to arrest him?
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(an) indication; a sign
Example: Her bag on the table was the only evidence of her presence.
Example: Her bag on the table was the only evidence of her presence.
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| Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary, © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd. |
Main Entry: ev·i·dence
Pronunciation: 'e-v&-d&ns, -"dens
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin evidentia, from Latin, that which isobvious, from evident- evidens clear, obvious, from e- out of, from + videns, present participle of videre to see
: something that furnishes or tends tofurnish proof; especially : something (as testimony, writings, or objects) presented at a judicial or administrative proceeding for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of analleged matter of fact —see also ADMISSIBLE, BESTEVIDENCE RULE, EXCLUSIONARY RULE, FOUNDATION, OBJECTION,,PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE, SCINTILLA, STATE'SEVIDENCE, SUPPRESS, TESTIMONY, WITNESS Federal Rules of Evidence in the IMPORTANTLAWS section —compare ALLEGATION, PROOF
best evidence
: evidence that is the most reliable and most direct inrelationship to what it is offered to prove —see also BEST EVIDENCE RULE
char·ac·terevidence
: evidence of a particular human trait (as honesty or peacefulness) of a party or witness —see also character witness at WITNESS
NOTE: Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, character evidence generally may not be used to prove that a person actedin accordance with that character. It is admissible for that purpose, however, if a criminal defendant offers it about himself or herself or about the victim, or if the prosecution offers evidence torebut the defendant's evidence in either of those circumstances. The prosecution may also rebut a claim of self-defense by presenting evidence of the peaceful character of the victim. Additionally, thecharacter of a witness with regard to truthfulness may be attacked or supported by opinion or by evidence of reputation.
circumstantial evidence
: evidence that tends to provea factual matter by proving other events or circumstances from which the occurrence of the matter at issue can be reasonably inferred —compare DIRECT EVIDENCE in this entry
clear and convincing evidence
: evidence showing a high probability oftruth of the factual matter at issue —compare PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE, REASONABLE DOUBT
com·mu·ni·ca·tive evidence
/k&-'myü-n&-k&-tiv-, -"kA-tiv-/
: TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE in thisentry
competent evidence
: evidence that is admissible, relevant, and material to the factual matter at issue
corroborating evidence
: evidence that isindependent of and different from but that supplements and strengthens evidence already presented as proof of a factual matter called also corroborative evidence —compare CUMULATIVE EVIDENCE in this entry
cumulative evidence
: evidence that is of the same kind as evidencealready offered as proof of the same factual matter —compare CORROBORATING EVIDENCE in thisentry
de·mon·stra·tive evidence
: evidence in the form of objects (as maps, diagrams, or models) that has in itself no probative value but is used toillustrate and clarify the factual matter at issue; broadly : PHYSICAL EVIDENCE in this entry called alsoillustrative evidence
derivative evidence
: evidence obtained as a result of the unlawful gathering of primary evidence called also indirect evidence secondaryevidence —see also FRUIT OF THE POISONOUS TREE
direct evidence
: evidence that ifbelieved immediately establishes the factual matter to be proved by it without the need for inferences; especially : evidence of a factual matter offered by a witness whose knowledge ofthe matter was obtained through the use of his or her senses (as sight or hearing) —compare CIRCUMSTANTIALEVIDENCE in this entry
evidence in chief
: evidence that is to be used by a party in making its case in chief
exculpatory evidence
: evidence thattends to clear a defendant from fault or guilt —see also BRADY MATERIAL
NOTE: The prosecution in a criminalcase is obligated to disclose to the defense any exculpatory evidence in its possession.
extrinsic evidence
1 : evidence regarding an agreement that is not included inthe written version of the agreement
NOTE: A court may use extrinsic evidence to make sense of an ambiguity in a writing subject to some limitations.
2 : evidence about awitness's character obtained from the testimony of other witnesses rather than from cross-examination of the witness himself or herself
NOTE: A witness may not be impeached by the use ofextrinsic evidence.
hearsay evidence
: a statement made out of court and not under oath and offered in evidence as proof that what is stated is true : HEARSAY
il·lus·tra·tive evidence
: DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE in this entry
impeachment evidence
: evidence that may be used to impeach awitness because it tends to harm the witness's credibility
indirect evidence
: DERIVATIVE EVIDENCEin this entry
intrinsic evidence
: evidence that exists within a writing <the will contains ample intrinsic evidence of the testator's intent —Stoner v.Custer, 251 North Eastern Reporter, Second Series 668 (1968)> —compare EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE in thisentry
material evidence
: evidence that is likely to affect the determination of a matter or issue; specifically : evidence that warrants reopening of a claim orreversal of a conviction because but for the circumstance that the evidence was unavailable the outcome of the first proceeding would have been different
no evidence
: evidencepresented that is insufficient to prove a matter of esp. vital fact : a point of error that insufficient evidence has been presented to support a finding
parol evidence
:evidence of matters spoken (as an oral agreement) that are related to but not included in a writing —see also PAROL EVIDENCERULE
physical evidence
: tangible evidence (as a weapon, document, or visible injury) that is in some way related to the incident that gave rise to the case called alsoreal evidence —compare DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE and, TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE in this entry
presumptive evidence
: PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE in this entry
prima facie evidence
: evidence that is sufficient to prove afactual matter at issue and justify a favorable judgment on that issue unless rebutted
pri·ma·ry evidence
1 : BEST EVIDENCE in this entry
2 : evidence obtained as a direct result of an unlawful search
re·alvidence
: PHYSICAL EVIDENCE in this entry
rebuttal evidence
: evidence that tends torefute or discredit an opponent's evidence
relevant evidence
: evidence that tends to prove or disprove any issue of fact that is of consequence to the case
secondaryevidence
: DERIVATIVE EVIDENCE in this entry
sub·stan·tial evidence
:evidence greater than a scintilla of evidence that a reasonable person would find sufficient to support a conclusion
substantive evidence
: evidence offered to prove a factualissue rather than merely for impeachment
testimonial evidence
: evidence given in writing or speech or in another way that expresses the person's thoughts —compare PHYSICAL EVIDENCE in this entry
NOTE: Only testimonial evidence is protected by the Fifth Amendment's privilegeagainst self-incrimination.—in evidence : as evidence <introduced a letter in evidence>
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Main Entry: ev·i·dence
Pronunciation: 'e-v&-d&ns, -"dens
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin evidentia, from Latin, that which isobvious, from evident- evidens clear, obvious, from e- out of, from + videns, present participle of videre to see
: something that furnishes or tends tofurnish proof; especially : something (as testimony, writings, or objects) presented at a judicial or administrative proceeding for the purpose of establishing the truth or falsity of analleged matter of fact —see also ADMISSIBLE, BESTEVIDENCE RULE, EXCLUSIONARY RULE, FOUNDATION, OBJECTION,,PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE, SCINTILLA, STATE'SEVIDENCE, SUPPRESS, TESTIMONY, WITNESS Federal Rules of Evidence in the IMPORTANTLAWS section —compare ALLEGATION, PROOF
best evidence
: evidence that is the most reliable and most direct inrelationship to what it is offered to prove —see also BEST EVIDENCE RULE
char·ac·terevidence
: evidence of a particular human trait (as honesty or peacefulness) of a party or witness —see also character witness at WITNESS
NOTE: Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, character evidence generally may not be used to prove that a person actedin accordance with that character. It is admissible for that purpose, however, if a criminal defendant offers it about himself or herself or about the victim, or if the prosecution offers evidence torebut the defendant's evidence in either of those circumstances. The prosecution may also rebut a claim of self-defense by presenting evidence of the peaceful character of the victim. Additionally, thecharacter of a witness with regard to truthfulness may be attacked or supported by opinion or by evidence of reputation.
circumstantial evidence
: evidence that tends to provea factual matter by proving other events or circumstances from which the occurrence of the matter at issue can be reasonably inferred —compare DIRECT EVIDENCE in this entry
clear and convincing evidence
: evidence showing a high probability oftruth of the factual matter at issue —compare PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE, REASONABLE DOUBT
com·mu·ni·ca·tive evidence
/k&-'myü-n&-k&-tiv-, -"kA-tiv-/
: TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE in thisentry
competent evidence
: evidence that is admissible, relevant, and material to the factual matter at issue
corroborating evidence
: evidence that isindependent of and different from but that supplements and strengthens evidence already presented as proof of a factual matter called also corroborative evidence —compare CUMULATIVE EVIDENCE in this entry
cumulative evidence
: evidence that is of the same kind as evidencealready offered as proof of the same factual matter —compare CORROBORATING EVIDENCE in thisentry
de·mon·stra·tive evidence
: evidence in the form of objects (as maps, diagrams, or models) that has in itself no probative value but is used toillustrate and clarify the factual matter at issue; broadly : PHYSICAL EVIDENCE in this entry called alsoillustrative evidence
derivative evidence
: evidence obtained as a result of the unlawful gathering of primary evidence called also indirect evidence secondaryevidence —see also FRUIT OF THE POISONOUS TREE
direct evidence
: evidence that ifbelieved immediately establishes the factual matter to be proved by it without the need for inferences; especially : evidence of a factual matter offered by a witness whose knowledge ofthe matter was obtained through the use of his or her senses (as sight or hearing) —compare CIRCUMSTANTIALEVIDENCE in this entry
evidence in chief
: evidence that is to be used by a party in making its case in chief
exculpatory evidence
: evidence thattends to clear a defendant from fault or guilt —see also BRADY MATERIAL
NOTE: The prosecution in a criminalcase is obligated to disclose to the defense any exculpatory evidence in its possession.
extrinsic evidence
1 : evidence regarding an agreement that is not included inthe written version of the agreement
NOTE: A court may use extrinsic evidence to make sense of an ambiguity in a writing subject to some limitations.
2 : evidence about awitness's character obtained from the testimony of other witnesses rather than from cross-examination of the witness himself or herself
NOTE: A witness may not be impeached by the use ofextrinsic evidence.
hearsay evidence
: a statement made out of court and not under oath and offered in evidence as proof that what is stated is true : HEARSAY
il·lus·tra·tive evidence
: DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE in this entry
impeachment evidence
: evidence that may be used to impeach awitness because it tends to harm the witness's credibility
indirect evidence
: DERIVATIVE EVIDENCEin this entry
intrinsic evidence
: evidence that exists within a writing <the will contains ample intrinsic evidence of the testator's intent —Stoner v.Custer, 251 North Eastern Reporter, Second Series 668 (1968)> —compare EXTRINSIC EVIDENCE in thisentry
material evidence
: evidence that is likely to affect the determination of a matter or issue; specifically : evidence that warrants reopening of a claim orreversal of a conviction because but for the circumstance that the evidence was unavailable the outcome of the first proceeding would have been different
no evidence
: evidencepresented that is insufficient to prove a matter of esp. vital fact : a point of error that insufficient evidence has been presented to support a finding
parol evidence
:evidence of matters spoken (as an oral agreement) that are related to but not included in a writing —see also PAROL EVIDENCERULE
physical evidence
: tangible evidence (as a weapon, document, or visible injury) that is in some way related to the incident that gave rise to the case called alsoreal evidence —compare DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE and, TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE in this entry
presumptive evidence
: PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE in this entry
prima facie evidence
: evidence that is sufficient to prove afactual matter at issue and justify a favorable judgment on that issue unless rebutted
pri·ma·ry evidence
1 : BEST EVIDENCE in this entry
2 : evidence obtained as a direct result of an unlawful search
re·alvidence
: PHYSICAL EVIDENCE in this entry
rebuttal evidence
: evidence that tends torefute or discredit an opponent's evidence
relevant evidence
: evidence that tends to prove or disprove any issue of fact that is of consequence to the case
secondaryevidence
: DERIVATIVE EVIDENCE in this entry
sub·stan·tial evidence
:evidence greater than a scintilla of evidence that a reasonable person would find sufficient to support a conclusion
substantive evidence
: evidence offered to prove a factualissue rather than merely for impeachment
testimonial evidence
: evidence given in writing or speech or in another way that expresses the person's thoughts —compare PHYSICAL EVIDENCE in this entry
NOTE: Only testimonial evidence is protected by the Fifth Amendment's privilegeagainst self-incrimination.—in evidence : as evidence <introduced a letter in evidence>
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Main Entry: evidence
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -denced; -denc·ing
: to provide evidence of
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
Main Entry: evidence
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -denced; -denc·ing
: to provide evidence of
| Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc. |
evidence
Di*rect"\, a. [L. directus, p. p. of dirigere to direct: cf. F. direct. See Dress, and cf. Dirge.]1. Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end; as, a direct line; direct means. What is direct to, what slides by, the question. --Locke. 2. Straightforward; not of crooked ways, or swerving from truth and openness; sincere; outspoken. Be even and direct with me. --Shak. 3. Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous. He nowhere, that I know, says it in direct words. --Locke. A direct and avowed interference with elections. --Hallam. 4. In the line of descent; not collateral; as, a descendant in the direct line. 5. (Astron.) In the direction of the general planetary motion, or from west to east; in the order of the signs; not retrograde; -- said of the motion of a celestial body. Direct action. (Mach.) See Direct-acting. Direct discourse (Gram.), the language of any one quoted without change in its form; as, he said "I can not come;" -- correlative to indirect discourse, in which there is change of form; as, he said that he could not come. They are often called respectively by their Latin names, oratio directa, and oratio obliqua. Direct evidence (Law), evidence which is positive or not inferential; -- opposed to circumstantial, or indirect, evidence. -- This distinction, however, is merely formal, since there is no direct evidence that is not circumstantial, or dependent on circumstances for its credibility. --Wharton. Direct examination (Law), the first examination of a witness in the orderly course, upon the merits. --Abbott. Direct fire (Mil.), fire, the direction of which is perpendicular to the line of troops or to the parapet aimed at. Direct process (Metal.), one which yields metal in working condition by a single process from the ore. --Knight. Direct tax, a tax assessed directly on lands, etc., and polls, distinguished from taxes on merchandise, or customs, and from excise.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
evidence
Ev"i*dence\, n. [F. ['e]vidence, L. Evidentia. See Evident.]1. That which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgement; as, the evidence of our senses; evidence of the truth or falsehood of a statement. Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen. --Heb. xi. 1. O glorious trial of exceeding love Illustrious evidence, example high. --Milton. 2. One who bears witness. [R.] "Infamous and perjured evidences." --Sir W. Scott. 3. (Law) That which is legally submitted to competent tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation before it; means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking, not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect of it. --Greenleaf. Circumstantial evidence, Conclusive evidence, etc. See under Circumstantial, Conclusive, etc. Crown's, King's, or Queen's evidence, evidence for the crown. [Eng.] State's evidence, evidence for the government or the people. [U. S. ] To turn King's, Queen's or State's evidence, to confess a crime and give evidence against one's accomplices. Syn: Testimony; proof. See Tesimony.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
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