witness
OTHER WORDS FOR witness
Origin of witness
synonym study for witness
OTHER WORDS FROM witness
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MORE ABOUT WITNESS
What does witness mean?
A witness is someone who was present at or perceives an incident, event, or occurrence, as in Jamal was a witness to the fact that I completed all my homework.
People who witness something typically do so through seeing, although they can also witness a smell or sound. In order to witness an event, one must simply be present at the time the event happened, even if the witness was not directly involved.
To witness something is to see, hear, sense, or know something, as in I witnessed our dog running out the door, but I didn’t see where she went.
To witness is also to testify or give evidence, especially in a court of law.
Example: The key witness in the theft case was a local shop owner.
Where does witness come from?
The first records of the term witness come from before 950. It comes from the Old English term witnes, meaning “knowledge” or “understanding.” One’s wit is their perception and expression of something, so witness means “to have wit about something.”
Witnesses are a key part of the legal system. Both sides can select witnesses to give their accounts of a case, and both sides get to question the witnesses about their statements. There are several types of witnesses. For example, an expert witness is someone who is educated in an area that is important to a case and can give a professional opinion, while a character witness is someone who is familiar with the litigant and can help build an image of their character.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to witness?
- witnessable (adjective)
- witnesser (noun)
- prewitness (noun, verb)
- self-witness (noun)
- well-witnessed (adjective)
What are some synonyms for witness?
What are some words that share a root or word element with witness?
What are some words that often get used in discussing witness?
How is witness used in real life?
Witness as a noun is almost always used in a legal context and as a verb can be used in terms of both legal issues and common occurrences.
Add me on snapchat & check out my stories, witness the madness first hand everyday. Username: lifeofnash
— Nash Grier (@Nashgrier) January 26, 2015
Let’s stay together ’til we’re ghosts. I want to witness love, I’ve never seen it close.
— Austin Mahone (@AustinMahone) July 20, 2014
In mea culpa, #Manafort Judge told jury he was wrong in scolding prosecutors for having expert witness in court to hear other witness testimony. Prosecutors had reminded him he had actually granted approval. "This robe doesn't make me anything other than human," he said
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) August 9, 2018
Try using witness!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for witness?
A. see
B. watch
C. hide
D. observe