| 1. | to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception: to witness an accident. |
| 2. | to be present at (an occurrence) as a formal witness, spectator, bystander, etc.: She witnessed our wedding. |
| 3. | to bear witness to; testify to; give or afford evidence of. |
| 4. | to attest by one's signature: He witnessed her will. |
| 5. | to bear witness; testify; give or afford evidence. |
| 6. | an individual who, being present, personally sees or perceives a thing; a beholder, spectator, or eyewitness. |
| 7. | a person or thing that affords evidence. |
| 8. | a person who gives testimony, as in a court of law. |
| 9. | a person who signs a document attesting the genuineness of its execution. |
| 10. | testimony or evidence: to bear witness to her suffering. |
| 11. | (initial capital letter ) a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. |
wit·ness (wĭt'nĭs) n.
v. tr.
[Middle English, from Old English, from wit, knowledge; see wit1.] wit'ness·er n. |
Witness
More than one witness was required in criminal cases (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). They were the first to execute the sentence on the condemned (Deut. 13:9; 17:7; 1 Kings 21:13; Matt. 27:1; Acts 7:57, 58). False witnesses were liable to punishment (Deut. 19:16-21). It was also an offence to refuse to bear witness (Lev. 5:1).