n.
Pronunciation: ' wit-n ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English witnesse, from Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from 2 wit
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