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witness

wit·ness

witness

 
 
pronunciation:
wIt nihs
parts of speech:
verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: witnesses, witnessing, witnessed
definition 1: to watch or be present at.
He witnessed the accident.They witnessed their son's college graduation.
synonyms:
attend, see, watch
similar words:
behold, observe, view
definition 2: to prove that a will or other legal paper was signed properly by signing it oneself.
The old man's two sons witnessed his will.
synonyms:
attest, sign
similar words:
endorse, initial
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: a person who sees or hears something that happened.
He was a witness to the fight.
synonyms:
eyewitness
similar words:
beholder, bystander, observer, viewer
definition 2: a person who gives evidence in a court of law.
The witness said that the accident was the other driver's fault.
definition 3: a person who proves a legal paper was signed properly by signing it as well.
They signed as witnesses of their mother's will.
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derivations: witnessable (adj.), witnesser (n.)
Word History
The word witness comes from wit, which in Old English means "knowledge."
Word Explorer
See
  crime, law
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