Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

witness

 - 7 dictionary results

wit⋅ness

  [wit-nis]
Use witness in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
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.
–verb (used without object)
5. to bear witness; testify; give or afford evidence.
–noun
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.
Origin:
bef. 950; (n.) ME, OE witnes orig., knowledge, understanding; see wit 1 , -ness; (v.) ME, deriv. of the n.

Related forms:
wit⋅ness⋅a⋅ble, adjective
wit⋅ness⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. perceive, watch, mark, notice, note. See observe. 10. proof, confirmation, substantiation.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To witness
wit·ness   (wĭt'nĭs)   
n.  

    1. One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced: a witness to the accident.

    2. One who furnishes evidence.

    3. One who is called on to testify before a court.

    4. One who is called on to be present at a transaction in order to attest to what takes place.

    5. One who signs one's name to a document for the purpose of attesting to its authenticity.

    6. One who publicly affirms religious faith.

    7. Witness A member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

  2. Something that serves as evidence; a sign.

  3. Law

    1. One who is called on to testify before a court.

    2. One who is called on to be present at a transaction in order to attest to what takes place.

    3. One who signs one's name to a document for the purpose of attesting to its authenticity.

    4. One who publicly affirms religious faith.

    5. Witness A member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

  4. An attestation to a fact, statement, or event; testimony.

    1. One who publicly affirms religious faith.

    2. Witness A member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

v.   wit·nessed, wit·ness·ing, wit·ness·es

v.   tr.

    1. To be present at or have personal knowledge of.

    2. To take note of; observe.

  2. To provide or serve as evidence of. See Synonyms at indicate.

  3. To testify to; bear witness.

  4. To be the setting or site of: This old auditorium has witnessed many ceremonies.

  5. To attest to the legality or authenticity of by signing one's name to.

v.   intr.

  1. To furnish or serve as evidence; testify.

  2. To testify to one's religious beliefs.


[Middle English, from Old English, from wit, knowledge; see wit1.]
wit'ness·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

witness 
O.E. witnes "attestation of fact, event, etc., from personal knowledge;" also "one who so testifies;" originally "knowledge, wit," formed from wit (n.) + -ness. The verb is c.1300, from the noun. Christian use (1382) is as a lit. translation of Gk. martys (see martyr). Witness stand is recorded from 1853.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: wit·ness
Function: noun
Etymology: Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from wit mind, sense, knowledge
1 a : attestation of a fact or event witness whereof the parties have executed this release> b : evidence (as of the authenticity of a conveyance by deed) furnished by signature, oath, or seal
2 : one who gives evidence regarding matters of fact under inquiry; specifically : one who testifies or is legally qualified to testify in a case or to give evidence before a judicial tribunal or similar inquiry witness before a congressional committee> witness against himself —U.S. Constitution amendment V> —compare AFFIANT, DEPONENT
adverse witness
: a witness who is called by or associated with an opposing party or who by statement, conduct, or other evidence (as of relationship) shows bias against or is injurious to the case of the party by whom the witness is called adverse witness subject to impeachment> called also hostile witness —see also leading question at QUESTION 1
alibi witness
: a witness upon whom a criminal defendant relies in establishing an alibi
char·ac·ter witness
: a witness who testifies as to the character or reputation esp. of a criminal defendant : a witness who gives character evidence
expert witness
: a witness (as a medical specialist) who by virtue of special knowledge, skill, training, or experience is qualified to provide testimony to aid the factfinder in matters that exceed the common knowledge of ordinary people
hostile witness
: ADVERSE WITNESS in this entry
lay witness
: a witness who is not an expert witness
material witness
: a witness whose testimony is necessary for trial and whose presence may sometimes be secured by the state by subpoena, custody, or recognizance
prosecuting witness
: a witness (as the victim of a crime) whose own allegations initiate the prosecution of the defendant
qualified witness
: a witness who has sufficient understanding of a record-keeping system to provide testimony that forms the proper foundation for admission of evidence under the business records exception to the hearsay rule
rebuttal witness
: a witness called upon to rebut evidence already presented
3 : one who is called on to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its occurrence; specifically : one who sees the execution of an instrument and signs it to confirm its authenticity witness to a will>
4 : EYEWITNESS witness to an assault>—bear witness : to furnish or constitute proof or evidence

Main Entry: witness
Function: transitive verb
1 : to furnish evidence or proof of
2 : to act as witness of: as a : to see the execution of (an instrument) and sign for the purpose of establishing authenticity <witness a will> b : to be formally present as a witness of (as a transaction or the execution of a convict)
3 a : to see or experience directly b : to take note of intransitive verb : to bear witness : give evidence

Main Entry: witness
Function: adjective
: being an object or location used to ascertain a precise boundary point esp. on a corner of a tract when marking that point itself is impracticable or impossible witness tree> witness corner>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Bible Dictionary

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).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Cite This Source
Search another word or see witness on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way