witness Hear it!

witness Definition

wit·ness (wit′nis)

noun

  1. an attesting of a fact, statement, etc.; evidence; testimony
  2. a person who saw, or can give a firsthand account of, something
  3. a person who testifies in court
  4. a person called upon to observe a transaction, signing, etc. in order to testify concerning it if it is later held in question
  5. something providing or serving as evidence

Etymology: ME witnesse < OE (ge)witnes, witness, knowledge, testimony < witan, to know: see wise & -ness

transitive verb

  1. to testify to
  2. to serve as evidence of
  3. to act as witness of, often, in proof thereof, signing a statement that one has done so
  4. to be present at; see personally
  5. to be the scene or setting of a hall that has witnessed many conventions

intransitive verb

  1. to give, or serve as, evidence; testify
  2. to testify to religious beliefs or faith

witness Idioms

bear witness

to be or give evidence; testify

witness Synonyms

witness

n.

observer, onlooker, eyewitness, spectator, bystander, deponent, testifier, beholder, signatory.

bear witness

affirm, attest, give evidence; see testify 2.

witness Synonyms

witness

v.

see, observe, be a witness, be on the scene, behold, be present, testify, vouch for, stand for, look on, say under oath, depose, be on hand.

witness Law Definition

n

v

  1. A person who gives testimony under oath and penalty of perjury in a court of law
  2. To observe the execution of a legal document and to authenticate it by affixing one’s name to it.
adverse witness
See hostile witness.
character witness
One who testifies to the reputation of another as a reliable, reputable member of the community. Character witnesses may be used to support or impugn the testimony of a key party.
expert witness
See expert.
hostile witness
One whose adverse relationship to a party may prejudice his or her testimony against that party. A person declared to be a hostile witness may be asked leading questions and may be cross-examined by the party who called him or her.
lay witness
A witness other than an expert witness.
material witness
A witness called to testify about an important or essential matter, or a matter having a logical and necessary connection to the facts under consideration.

witness Usage Examples

Object

  • incident: Kirkwall police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.
  • collision: Police at Omagh are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to contact them on 0845 600 8000.
  • miracle: They had witnessed miracles in response to their ministry.

Converse of object

  • bear: All of them bear witness to a glorious past, characterized by a talent for living life to the fullest.
  • intimidate: Improving the service to vulnerable or intimidated witnesses 30.
  • summon: It should also have the power to call on experts, or summon witnesses if appropriate, to help in such work.

Adjective modifier

  • credible: I just don't think he was a credible witness.
  • false: Or are they mainly called to preach what they already know, deep down, is false witness against unconformed people?
  • vulnerable: Vulnerable witnesses in particular must receive the help and support they need to feel confident and reassured about giving evidence.
  • silent: Tewkesbury Field's silent witness is more eloquent still.
  • apostolic: And the New Testament concept of faith is in accord with that: it is obedience to the apostolic witness ( Rom.
  • reliable: He was a straightforward, consistent and reliable witness.

Modifies a noun

statement: EVIDENCE 7.1 The trustees ' evidence should be given by witness statement.

Noun used with modifier

  • expert: The tribunal began by setting out the duty owed by an expert witness.
  • prosecution: As a prosecution witness, will I see the defendant at court?
  • 92bis: Treated as a 92bis witness with some supplementary examination.
  • eye: The reports of the accident could have been based only on eye witness accounts.
  • bear: Beauty is the quality in a painting through which the artist can ' bear witness to the Light ' .

Preposition: of

resurrection: Soon after Jesus ' death and resurrection, the Disciples and others began to witness of the resurrection.

Preposition: for

prosecution: Mr. Morgan then addressed the jury, and called several witnesses to disprove the statements made by the witnesses for the prosecution.