tes ‧ ti ‧ fy /ˈtestəfaɪ, ˈtestɪfaɪ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle testified , present participle testifying , third person singular testifies )
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: testificari , from testis 'witness' ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to make a formal statement of what is true, especially in a court of law:
Mr Molto has agreed to testify at the trial.
testify against
Later, the witness who had testified against Muawad withdrew his allegation.
2 . [intransitive and transitive] written to show clearly that something is the case
testify to
The empty shops in the high street testify to the depth of the recession.
testify that
The full ashtrays testify that smoking hasn’t been stubbed out.
Can you testify that you saw the defendant at the scene of the crime?
3 . [intransitive] American English to stand up and tell people about how God has helped you in your life SYN witness