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evidence

[ev-i-duhns]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR evidence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

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RELATED WORDS

information, confirmation, sign, deposition, indication, testimony, clue, data, witness, documentation, signify, manifest, indicate, evince, demonstrate, illustrate, declaration, demonstration, index, corroboration

Nearby words

  1. evetta,
  2. evg.,
  3. evict,
  4. evictee,
  5. eviction,
  6. evident,
  7. evidential,
  8. evidentially,
  9. evidentiary,
  10. evidently

Idioms

    in evidence, plainly visible; conspicuous: The first signs of spring are in evidence.

Origin of evidence

1250–1300; Middle English (noun) < Middle French < Latin ēvidentia. See evident, -ence
Related forms

Synonym study

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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for evidence

British Dictionary definitions for evidence

evidence

noun

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
law matter 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 evidence or turn state's evidence (of an accomplice) to act as witness for the prosecution and testify against those associated with him in crime
in evidence on display; apparent; conspicuousher new ring was in evidence

verb (tr)

to make evident; show clearly
to give proof of or evidence for
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for evidence

evidence

n.

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with evidence

evidence

see in evidence; much in evidence.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.