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wit·ness

witness

 
 
pronunciation:
wIt nihs
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Explorer, 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.She witnessed the boy grab the man's wallet.
synonyms:
eyewitness, know, see
similar words:
behold, experience, observe, perceive
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
definition 3: to watch or be present at.
Hundreds of people witnessed the hanging.
synonyms:
attend, see, watch
similar words:
behold, observe, view
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
 
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
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
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
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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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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