witness
[wit-nis]
- to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception: to witness an accident.
- to be present at (an occurrence) as a formal witness, spectator, bystander, etc.: She witnessed our wedding.
- to bear witness to; testify to; give or afford evidence of.
- to attest by one's signature: He witnessed her will.
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- to bear witness; testify; give or afford evidence.
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- an individual who, being present, personally sees or perceives a thing; a beholder, spectator, or eyewitness.
- a person or thing that affords evidence.
- a person who gives testimony, as in a court of law.
- a person who signs a document attesting the genuineness of its execution.
- testimony or evidence: to bear witness to her suffering.
- (initial capital letter) a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.
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Origin of witness
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
bystander, spectator, observer, eyewitness, testimony, notice, attend, watch, mark, note, see, announce, indicate, deponent, viewer, beholder, watcher, proof, signer, testifierExamples from the Web for witness
Contemporary Examples
One witness said the gunfire began after a traffic collision, which drew the attention of a nearby police officer.
The mother, Emily Kruse, was charged with obstructing justice and intimidating a witness.
“The senior people were too shocked to speak,” said a witness.
Facebook Prince Purges The New Republic: Inside the Destruction of a 100-Year-Old MagazineLloyd Grove
December 5, 2014
At least one witness stated that Brown was surrendering with his hands in the air when he was shot.
Nancy heard the shot, then another, and came to the window to witness the third and final bullet be fired into her husband.
Historical Examples
Avice Milbrey had the fortune to witness one of these bed-time causeries.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
The reverential care bestowed on this grave is delightful to witness.
The Roof of FranceMatilda Betham-Edwards
And then, as if they had been on the witness stand, he looked searchingly at Linda.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
Same tone as if trying his best to encourage the witness in his statements.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
Have done and witness, then go, order me horses and an escort, for I ride at once.
Fair MargaretH. Rider Haggard
witness
- a person who has seen or can give first-hand evidence of some event
- a person or thing giving or serving as evidence
- a person who testifies, esp in a court of law, to events or facts within his own knowledge
- a person who attests to the genuineness of a document, signature, etc, by adding his own signature
- bear witness
- to give written or oral testimony
- to be evidence or proof ofRelated adjective: testimonial
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- (tr) to see, be present at, or know at first hand
- to give or serve as evidence (of)
- (tr) to be the scene or setting ofthis field has witnessed a battle
- (intr) to testify, esp in a court of law, to events within a person's own knowledge
- (tr) to attest to the genuineness of (a document, signature, etc) by adding one's own signature
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Word Origin
Old English witnes (meaning both testimony and witness), from witan to know, wit ² + -ness; related to Old Norse vitni
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 witness
v.
c.1300, from witness (n.). Related: Witnessed; witnessing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper