Witness: meaning, definitions and examples

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witness

 

[ หˆwษชtnษ™s ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

legal term

A person who sees an event take place, especially a crime or accident, and can provide testimony in court.

Synonyms

observer, onlooker, spectator

Examples of usage

  • The witness identified the suspect in a lineup.
  • The witness was called to testify during the trial.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To see (an event, typically a crime or accident) take place.

Synonyms

observe, see, watch

Examples of usage

  • She witnessed the car crash from across the street.
  • He witnessed the argument between his neighbors.

Translations

Translations of the word "witness" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น testemunha

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เคตเคพเคน

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Zeuge

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ saksi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะฒั–ะดะพะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ล›wiadek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่จผไบบ (shลnin)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tรฉmoin

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ testigo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tanฤฑk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฆ์ธ (jeung-in)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุดุงู‡ุฏ (shaahid)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ svฤ›dek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ svedok

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ง่ฏไบบ (jiร nzhรจngrรฉn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ priฤa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vitni

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบัƒำ™ะณะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒฌแƒ›แƒ” (motsme)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸahid

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ testigo

Etymology

The word 'witness' originated from the Old English 'witeness', which was derived from 'witan' meaning 'to know'. The term has roots in Old Norse and Proto-Germanic languages as well. Over time, 'witness' evolved to encompass the concept of seeing an event and providing testimony. In legal contexts, a witness plays a crucial role in providing firsthand accounts of events for the administration of justice.

See also: outwit, unwittingly, wit, witticism, wittily, wittiness, witty.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,688, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.