witness

¹wit·ness

noun \ˈwit-nəs\

Definition of WITNESS

1

: attestation of a fact or event : testimony

2

: one that gives evidence; specifically : one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal

3

: one asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place

4

: one who has personal knowledge of something

5

a : something serving as evidence or proof : sign b : public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction <the heroic witness to divine life — Pilot>

6

capitalized : a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses

Examples of WITNESS

1. The defense called its first witness to the stand.
2. a witness for the defense
3. His aunt and uncle were witnesses at his baptism.
4. There must be two witnesses present when she signs the document.

Origin of WITNESS

Middle English witnesse, from Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from ²wit

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WITNESS

Synonyms: attestation, confirmation, corroboration, documentation, evidence, substantiation, testament, testimonial, testimony, validation, voucher, proof

Antonyms: disproof

Related Words: (the) goods; certificate, document, exhibit; demonstration, illustration; authentication, identification, manifestation, verification

Near Antonyms: rebuttal, refutation; accusation, allegation, charge; assumption, conjecture, guess, presumption, surmise, suspicion

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with WITNESS

fitness