that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.
something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign: His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.
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.
verb (used with object),ev·i·denced,ev·i·denc·ing.
to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest: He evidenced his approval by promising his full support.
to support by evidence: He evidenced his accusation with incriminating letters.
Idioms
in evidence, plainly visible; conspicuous: The first signs of spring are in evidence.
Origin of evidence
1250–1300;Middle English (noun) < Middle French < Latinēvidentia. See evident, -ence
Related formscoun·ter·ev·i·dence, nounpre·ev·i·dence, nounre·ev·i·dence, verb (used with object),re·ev·i·denced,re·ev·i·denc·ing.su·per·ev·i·dence, nounun·ev·i·denced, adjectivewell-ev·i·denced, adjective
3. 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.
ground for belief or disbelief; data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood
a mark or sign that makes evident; indicationhis pallor was evidence of ill health
lawmatter produced before a court of law in an attempt to prove or disprove a point in issue, such as the statements of witnesses, documents, material objects, etcSee also circumstantial evidence, direct evidence
turn queen's evidence, turn king's evidenceorturn state's evidence(of an accomplice) to act as witness for the prosecution and testify against those associated with him in crime
in evidenceon display; apparent; conspicuousher new ring was in evidence
c.1300, "appearance from which inferences may be drawn," from Old French evidence, from Late Latin evidentia "proof," originally "distinction, clearness," from Latin evidentem (see evident).
Meaning "ground for belief" is from late 14c., that of "obviousness" is 1660s. Legal senses are from c.1500, when it began to oust witness. As a verb, from c.1600. Related: Evidenced; evidencing.
