ˈwɪtnɪs n. & v. --n. 1 a
person present at
some event and able to
give information about it (cf. EYEWITNESS). 2 a a person giving
sworn testimony. b a person attesting another's
signature to a
document. 3 (foll. by
to, of) a person or
thing whose existence,
condition,
etc., attests or proves
something (is a
living witness to
their generosity). 4 testimony,
evidence,
confirmation. --v. 1 tr. be a witness of (an event etc.) (did
you witness
the accident?). 2 tr. be witness to the authenticity of (a document or signature). 3 tr.
serve as evidence or an
indication of. 4 intr. (foll. by
against,
for, to) give or serve as evidence. øbear witness to (or of) 1
attest the
truth of. 2
state one's
belief in.
call to witness
appeal to for confirmation etc. witness-box (US -stand) an
enclosure in a
lawcourt from which witnesses give evidence. [OE witnes (as
WIT(1), -NESS)]