I. ˈwit-nəs noun
Etymology: Middle English witnesse, from Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, witness, from wit (II)
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
witness ed 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 witness ed — 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