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- pronunciation:
- wIt
nihs
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns, Word Parts
part of speech: |
transitive verb |
inflections: |
witnesses, witnessing, witnessed |
definition 1: |
to see or personally experience.
She witnessed the crime.The soldiers have witnessed the horrors of war.He witnessed the woman entering the building around eight o'clock.[verb + smby/smth + present participle
]
She witnessed the boy grab the man's wallet.[verb + smby/smth + bare infinitive
]
- synonyms:
- eyewitness, know, see
- similar words:
- behold, experience, observe, perceive
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definition 2: |
to give or serve as evidence of; testify to.
This vicious act witnesses her intense hatred for him.- synonyms:
- attest, testify
- similar words:
- confirm, corroborate, demonstrate, depose, establish, evidence, evince, express, reveal, show, substantiate, swear, verify, vouch
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definition 3: |
to watch or be present at.
Hundreds of people witnessed the hanging.- synonyms:
- attend, see, watch
- similar words:
- behold, observe, view
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definition 4: |
to attest to the legality of by signing one's name.
The notary witnessed their signatures.- synonyms:
- attest, notarize, sign
- similar words:
- certify, endorse, initial, testify, undersign, validate
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related words: |
mark, note, see |
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part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
definition: |
to supply or act as evidence; testify.
The doctor who did the examination will witness today in court.- synonyms:
- testify
- similar words:
- attest, certify, depose, swear, vouch
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part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
a person who sees or experiences an occurrence.
I was a witness to the fight.- synonyms:
- eyewitness, spectator
- similar words:
- beholder, bystander, looker-on, observer, onlooker, viewer, watcher
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definition 2: |
a person who supplies evidence, esp. in a court of law.
The prosecutor called her next witness.- synonyms:
- testifier
- similar words:
- deponent, informant, informer
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definition 3: |
a person who formally attests to a document by signing it.
He acted as a witness to the will.- similar words:
- notary public, signer
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definition 4: |
something that acts as evidence.
The book's worldwide popularity is a witness to its universality.- synonyms:
- evidence, testimony
- similar words:
- affidavit, confirmation, declaration, deposition, profession, proof, statement, testimonial, verification
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related words: |
evidence, testimony |
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derivations: |
witnessable (adj.), witnesser (n.) |
The word witness comes from wit, which in Old English means "knowledge."
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