WITNESS, n.

1. Testimony; attestation of a fact or event. If I hear witness of myself, my witness is not true. – John v.
2. That which furnishes evidence or proof. Laban said, this heap is a witness between me and thee this day. – Gen. xxxi.
3. A person who knows or sees any thing; one personally present; as, he was witness; he was an eye-witness. – 1 Pet. v. Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances which filled me with melancholy and regret. – Rob. Hall, 2, 349.
4. One who sees the execution of an instrument, and subscribes it for the purpose of confirming its authenticity by 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.]

1. To bear testimony. The men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth. 1 Kings xxi.
2. To give evidence. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them. Isa. iii.

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. – N. W. Every one has witnessed the effects of the voltaic fluid. – Good. Lect. x. Gen. Washington did not live to witness the restoration of peace. – Marshall. This is but a faint sketch of the incalculable calamities and horrors we must expect, should we ever witness the triumphs of modern infidelity. – Rob. Hall. We have witnessed all the varieties molded to such a perfect accommodation. – Bridg. Treatise. Angels that make thy church their care / Shall witness my devotion there. – Watts, Ps. 138. We have lived to witness that surprising paradox. – Hannah More.
2. To attest; to give testimony to; to testify to something. Behold, how many things they witness against thee. Mark xv.
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. In the imperative mode, see, in evidence or proof; as, witness the habeas corpus, the independence of judges, &c. – Ames, 429.

1. Attestation of a fact or an event; testimony.
   
   

   May we with . . . the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge? Shak.

   If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. John v. 31.

2. To see or know by personal presence] to have direct cognizance of.
   
   

   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.

   General Washington did not live to witness the restoration of peace. Marshall.

3. To bear testimony; to give evidence; to testify.
   
   
   Chaucer.

   The men of Belial witnessed against him. 1 Kings xxi. 13.

   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.

4. That which furnishes evidence or proof.
   
   

   Laban said to Jacob, . . . This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness. Gen. xxxi. 51, 52.

5. To give testimony to; to testify to; to attest.
   
   

   Behold how many things they witness against thee. Mark xv. 4.

6. 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.

   Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances which filled me with melancholy and regret. R. Hall.

7. 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.
8. One who testifies in a cause, or gives evidence before a judicial tribunal; as, the witness in court agreed in all essential facts.
   
   
   (b)