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Webster 1913 Edition

Testimony

Tes′ti-mo-ny

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Testimonies
(#)
.
[L.
testimonium
, from
testis
a witness: cf. OF.
testimoine
,
testemoine
,
testimonie
. See
Testify
.]
1.
A solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact.
☞ Such declaration, in judicial proceedings, may be verbal or written, but must be under oath or affirmation.
2.
Affirmation; declaration;
as, these doctrines are supported by the uniform
testimony
of the fathers; the belief of past facts must depend on the evidence of human
testimony
, or the
testimony
of historians
.
3.
Open attestation; profession.
[Thou] for the
testimony
of truth, hast borne
Universal reproach.
Milton.
4.
Witness; evidence; proof of some fact.
When ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a
testimony
against them.
Mark vi. 11.
5.
(Jewish Antiq.)
The two tables of the law.
Thou shalt put into the ark the
testimony
which I shall give thee.
Ex. xxv. 16.
6.
Hence, the whole divine revelation; the sacre[GREEK] Scriptures.
The
testimony
of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Ps. xix. 7.
Syn. – Proof; evidence; attestation; witness; affirmation; confirmation; averment.
–
Testimony
,
Proof
,
Evidence
. Proof is the most familiar, and is used more frequently (though not exclusively) of facts and things which occur in the ordinary concerns of life. Evidence is a word of more dignity, and is more generally applied to that which is moral or intellectual;
as, the
evidences
of Christianity, etc.
Testimony is what is deposed to by a witness on oath or affirmation. When used figuratively or in a wider sense, the word testimony has still a reference to some living agent as its author, as when we speak of the testimony of conscience, or of doing a thing in testimony of our affection, etc. Testimony refers rather to the thing declared, evidence to its value or effect. “To conform our language more to common use, we ought to divide arguments into demonstrations, proofs, and probabilities; ba proofs, meaning such arguments from experience as leave no room for doubt or opposition.”
Hume.
“The evidence of sense is the first and highest kind of evidence of which human nature is capable.”
Bp. Wilkins.
“The proof of everything must be by the testimony of such as the parties produce.”
Spenser.

Tes′ti-mo-ny

,
Verb.
T.
To witness; to attest; to prove by testimony.
[Obs.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition

Testimony

TEST'IMONY

,
Noun.
[L. testimonium.] A solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact. Such affirmation in judicial proceedings,may be verbal or written, but must be under oath. Testimony differs from evidence; testimony is the declaration of a witness, and evidence is the effect of that declaration on the mind, or the degree of light which it affords.
1.
Affirmation; declaration. These doctrines are supported by the uniform testimony of the fathers. The belief of past facts must depend on the evidence of human testimony, or the testimony of historians.
2.
Open attestation; profession.
Thou for the testimony of truth hast borne
Universal reproach.
3.
Witness; evidence; proof of some fact.
Shake off the dust under your feet, for a testimony against them. Mark 6.
4.
In Scripture, the two tables of the law.
Thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. Ex.25.
5.
The book of the law.
He brought forth the king's son--and gave him the testimony. 2 Kings 11.
6.
The gospel, which testifies of Christ and declares the will of God. 1 Cor. 2. 2 Tim.1.
7.
The ark. Ex.16.
8.
The word of God; the Scriptures.
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple Ps.19.
9.
The laws or precepts of God. 'I love thy testimonies.' 'I have kept thy testimonies.'
10. That which is equivalent to a declaration; manifestation.
Sacrifices were appointed by God for a testimony of his hatred of sin.
11. Evidence suggested to the mind; as the testimony of conscience. 2 Cor.1.
12. Attestation; confirmation.

TEST'IMONY

,
Verb.
T.
To witness. [Not in use.]

Definition 2024

testimony

testimony

English

Alternative forms

Noun

testimony ‎(countable and uncountable, plural testimonies)

  1. (law) statements made by a witness in court.
    • 2012 August 21, Pilkington, Ed, “Death penalty on trial: should Reggie Clemons live or die?”, in The Guardian:
      The Missouri prosecutors' case against Clemons, based partly on incriminating testimony given by his co-defendants, was that Clemons was part of a group of four youths who accosted the sisters on the Chain of Rocks Bridge one dark night in April 1991.
  2. An account of first-hand experience.
    • Milton
      [Thou] for the testimony of truth, hast borne / Universal reproach.
  3. (religion) In a church service, a personal account, such as of one's conversion.
  4. Witness; evidence; proof of some fact.
    • Bible Mark vi. 11
      When ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

External links

  • testimony in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • testimony in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Etymology

From Latin testimōnium ‎(“testimony”), from testis ‎(“a witness”); see test.

Pronunciation

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