witness

I. noun Etymology: Middle English witnesse, from Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from 2wit Date: before 12th century 1. attestation of a fact or event ; testimony 2. one that gives evidence; specifically one who testifies in a cause or before a judicial tribunal 3. one asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place 4. one who has personal knowledge of something 5. a. something serving as evidence or proof ; sign b. public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction <

the heroic witness to divine life — Pilot

> 6. capitalized a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to testify to ; attest 2. to act as legal witness of 3. to furnish proof of ; betoken 4. a. to have personal or direct cognizance of ; see for oneself <

witnessed the historic event

> b. to take note of <

our grammar— witness our verb system—is a marvel of flexibility, variety, and exactitude — Charlton Laird

> 5. to constitute the scene or time of <

structures…which this striking Dorset hilltop once witnessed — Times Literary Supplement

> intransitive verb 1. to bear witness ; testify 2. to bear witness to one's religious convictions <

opportunity to witness for Christ — Billy Graham

> Synonyms: see certify