witness

Etymology

From Middle English witnesse, from Old English ġewitnes, equivalent to wit + -ness. Cognate with Middle Dutch wetenisse (“witness, testimony”), Old High German gewiznessi (“testimony”), literary German gewissen (“to witness”), Icelandic vitni (“witness”).

noun

1. (uncountable) Attestation of a fact or event; testimony.
   She can bear witness, since she was there at the time.
   We have as much witness from heaven as we need. 1959, Alexander MacLaren, Expositions of holy scripture, volume 6
   On another corner, stands an old style tenement building, whose dirty grey facade bears as much witness to the volume of exhaust fumes from millions of passing cars as it does to the age of the dwelling. 1999, Nettie Becker, Paul Becker, A Comprehensive Guide for Caregivers in Day-care Settings
   Nor do the formation and articulation of such knowledge themselves bear much witness to Geist. 2002, Charles E. Scott, The Lives of Things, page 125
   Fleeing is giving witness, and those that plead against it are loath to give so much witness 2008, Jeremiah Burroughs, C. Matthew McMahon, Therese B. McMahon, The Excellency of Holy Courage in Evil Times, page 100
   Ob. 16 can show that every nation will get at least this much witness 2014, James Tarter, God's Word to the United States: The Book of Obadiah
2. (countable) One who sees or has personal knowledge of something.
   As a witness to the event, I can confirm that he really said that.
   Upon my looking round, I was a witness to appearances which filled me with melancholy and regret. c. 1786, Robert Hall, A Reverie
3. (countable, law) Someone called to give evidence in a court.
   The witness for the prosecution did not seem very credible.
   From the evidence of witnesses and of the recorded passing times, including the time at which the circuit breakers were tripped when the wires were brought down, the train was travelling at a speed of not less than 70 m.p.h. 1961 November, “Talking of Trains: Derailment near Holmes Chapel”, in Trains Illustrated, page 652
4. (countable) One who is called upon to witness an event or action, such as a wedding or the signing of a document.
   The bridesmaid and best man at a wedding typically serve as the witnesses.
5. (countable) Something that serves as evidence; a sign or token.

verb

1. (transitive) To furnish proof of, to show.
   This certificate witnesses his presence on that day.
2. (transitive) To take as evidence.
   Depression often goes undetected until it is too late . Witness the recent White House suicide. 1993, Vicki M. Pino, “Viewpoints from our Readers after "Aprongate": Lighten up”, in Atlanta Journal Constitution
3. (transitive) To see or gain knowledge of through experience.
   He witnessed the accident.
   This is but a faint sketch of the incalculable calamities and horrors we must expect, should we be so unfortunate as ever to witness the triumph of modern infidelity 1801, Robert Hall, On Modern Infidelity
   General Washington did not live to witness the restoration of peace. 1803, John Marshall, The Life of George Washington
4. (intransitive, construed with to or for) To present personal religious testimony; to preach at (someone) or on behalf of.
   Instead, Niebuhr's God was the God witnessed to in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, the Bible of the Christian world. 1998, Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, volume 6, "Niebuhr, Reinhold", page 842
5. To see the execution of (a legal instrument), and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity.
   to witness a bond or a deed