witness

Definitions


[ˈwɪtnɪs], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place
(e.g: police are appealing for witnesses to the accident)

- evidence; proof
(e.g: the memorial service was witness to the wide circle of his interests)

- a line or remnant of an original surface on a workpiece to show how much material has been removed or the shape of the original outline


Phrases:
- as God is my witness
- call someone or something to witness

Origin:
Old English witnes(see wit, -ness)


[ˈwɪtnɪs], (Verb)

Definitions:
- see (an event, typically a crime or accident) happen
(e.g: staff who witnessed the murder)

- have knowledge of (a development) from observation or experience
(e.g: what we are witnessing is the birth of a new political entity)

- openly profess one's religious faith
(e.g: one of the purposes of his coming was to nerve the disciples to witness to Jesus)


Phrases:
- as God is my witness
- call someone or something to witness

Origin:
Old English witnes(see wit, -ness)




definition by Oxford Dictionaries