WITNESS

I. noun Etymology: Middle English ~e, from Old English witnes knowledge, testimony, ~, from 2wit Date: before 12th century attestation of a fact or event ; testimony , one that gives evidence, one asked to be present at a transaction so as to be able to testify to its having taken place, one who has personal knowledge of something, 5. something serving as evidence or proof ; sign , public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction , a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb to testify to ; attest , to act as legal ~ of, to furnish proof of ; betoken , 4. to have personal or direct cognizance of ; see for oneself , to take note of , to constitute the scene or time of , intransitive verb to bear ~ ; testify , to bear ~ to one's religious convictions , see: certify