evidence

n. [ F. évidence, L. Evidentia. See Evident. ] 1. That which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgement; as, the evidence of our senses; evidence of the truth or falsehood of a statement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen. Heb. xi. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

O glorious trial of exceeding love
Illustrious evidence, example high. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One who bears witness. [ R. ] “Infamous and perjured evidences.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) That which is legally submitted to competent tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation before it; means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking, not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect of it. Greenleaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

Circumstantial evidence,
Conclusive evidence, etc. See under Circumstantial, Conclusive, etc. --
Crown's evidence,
King's evidence, or
Queen's evidence, evidence for the crown, in English courts; equivalent to state's evidence in American courts. [ Eng. ] --
State's evidence, evidence for the government or the people. [ U. S. ] --
To turn King's evidence
To turn Queen's evidence, or
To turn State's evidence, to confess a crime and give evidence against one's accomplices.

Syn. -- Testimony; proof. See Testimony. [ 1913 Webster ]