Witness — Defs

01 n. Attestation of a fact or an event; testimony.

1.
Attestation of a fact or an event; testimony.
“May we with . . . the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge?” — Shak.

“If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” — John v. 31.
2.
That which furnishes evidence or proof.
“Laban said to Jacob, . . . This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness.” — Gen. xxxi. 51, 52.
3.
One who is cognizant; a person who beholds, or otherwise has personal knowledge of, anything; as, an eyewitness; an earwitness.
“Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances which filled me with melancholy and regret.” — R. Hall.
4.
One who testifies in a cause, or gives evidence before a judicial tribunal; as, the witness in court agreed in all essential facts.(Law)
“This, I confess, is haste with a witness.” — South.

02 v. t. To see or know by personal presence; to have direct cognizance of.

imp. & p. p. Witnessed; p. pr. & vb. n. Witnessing

1.
To see or know by personal presence; to have direct cognizance of.
“This is but a faint sketch of the incalculable calamities and horrors we must expect, should we ever witness the triumphs of modern infidelity.” — R. Hall.

“General Washington did not live to witness the restoration of peace.” — Marshall.
2.
To give testimony to; to testify to; to attest.
“Behold how many things they witness against thee.” — Mark xv. 4.
3.
To see the execution of, as an instrument, and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity; as, to witness a bond or a deed.(Law)

03 v. i. To bear testimony; to give evidence; to testify.

1.
To bear testimony; to give evidence; to testify.
“The men of Belial witnessed against him.” — 1 Kings xxi. 13.

“The witnessing of the truth was then so generally attended with this event [martyrdom] that martyrdom now signifies not only to witness, but to witness to death.” — South.