From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Witness \Wit"ness\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Witnessed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Witnessing}.]
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1. To see or know by personal presence; to have direct
cognizance of.
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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.
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General Washington did not live to witness the
restoration of peace. --Marshall.
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2. To give testimony to; to testify to; to attest.
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Behold how many things they witness against thee.
--Mark xv. 4.
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3. (Law) 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.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Witness \Wit"ness\, n. [AS. witness, gewitnes, from witan to
know. [root]133. See {Wit}, v. i.]
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1. Attestation of a fact or an event; testimony.
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May we with . . . the witness of a good conscience,
pursue him with any further revenge? --Shak.
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If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
--John v. 31.
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2. That which furnishes evidence or proof.
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Laban said to Jacob, . . . This heap be witness, and
this pillar be witness. --Gen. xxxi.
51, 52.
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3. One who is cognizant; a person who beholds, or otherwise
has personal knowledge of, anything; as, an eyewitness; an
earwitness. "Thyself art witness I am betrothed." --Shak.
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Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances
which filled me with melancholy and regret. --R.
Hall.
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4. (Law)
(a) One who testifies in a cause, or gives evidence before
a judicial tribunal; as, the witness in court agreed
in all essential facts.
(b) One who sees the execution of an instrument, and
subscribes it for the purpose of confirming its
authenticity by his testimony; one who witnesses a
will, a deed, a marriage, or the like.
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{Privileged witnesses}. (Law) See under {Privileged}.
{With a witness}, effectually; to a great degree; with great
force, so as to leave some mark as a testimony. [Colloq.]
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This, I confess, is haste with a witness. --South.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Witness \Wit"ness\, v. i.
To bear testimony; to give evidence; to testify. --Chaucer.
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The men of Belial witnessed against him. --1 Kings xxi.
13.
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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.
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