WITNESS, noun 1. Testimony; attestation of a fact or event. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. John 5:31. 2. That which furnishes evidence or proof. Laban said, this heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Genesis 31:44. 3. A person who knows or sees any thing; one personally present; as, he was witness; he was an eye-witness. 1 Peter 5:1. 4. One who sees the execution of an instrument, and subscribes it for the purpose of confirming its authenticity b his testimony. 5. One who gives testimony; as, the witnesses in court agreed in all essential facts. With a witness effectually; to a great degree; with great force, so as to leave some mark as a testimony behind. He struck with a witness [Not elegant.] WITNESS, verb transitive 1. To see or know by personal presence. I witnessed the ceremonies in New York, with which the ratification of the constitution was celebrated, in 1788. 2. To attest; to give testimony to; to testify to something. Behold, how many things they witness against thee. Mark 15:4. 3. To see the execution of an instrument, and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity; as, to witness a bond or a deed. WITNESS, verb intransitive 1. To bear testimony. The men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth. 1 Kings 21:10. 2. To give evidence. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them. Isaiah 3:9.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI