witness

²witness

verb

Definition of WITNESS

transitive verb

1

: to testify to : attest

2

: to act as legal witness of

3

: to furnish proof of : betoken

4

a : to have personal or direct cognizance of : see for oneself <witnessed the historic event> b : to take note of <our grammar— witness our verb system—is a marvel of flexibility, variety, and exactitude — Charlton Laird>

5

: to constitute the scene or time of <structures … which this striking Dorset hilltop once witnessed — Times Literary Supplement>

intransitive verb

1

: to bear witness : testify

2

: to bear witness to one's religious convictions <opportunity to witness for Christ — Billy Graham>

Examples of WITNESS

1. Several people witnessed the accident.
2. We are witnessing a historic moment.
3. He witnessed the signing of her will.

First Known Use of WITNESS

14th century

Related to WITNESS

Synonyms: attest, authenticate, avouch, testify (to), vouch (for), certify

Related Words: guarantee, warrant; affirm, assert, aver, avow, profess, vow

Near Antonyms: disregard, ignore, neglect, overpass, pass over; miss, overlook

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at certify