Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Hearsay

Hear′sayˊ

(hēr′sāˊ)
,
Noun.
Report; rumor; fame; common talk; something heard from another.
Much of the obloquy that has so long rested on the memory of our great national poet originated in frivolous
hearsays
of his life and conversation.
Prof. Wilson.
Hearsay evidence
(Law)
,
that species of testimony which consists in a narration by one person of matters told him by another. It is, with a few exceptions, inadmissible as testimony.
Abbott.

Webster 1828 Edition

Hearsay

HE'ARSAY

,
Noun.
[hear and say.] Report; rumor; fame; common talk. He affirms without any authority except hearsay. The account we have depends on hearsay. It is sometimes used as an adjective; as hearsay evidence.

Definition 2024

hearsay

hearsay

English

Noun

hearsay ‎(usually uncountable, plural hearsays)

  1. Information that was heard by one person about another that cannot be adequately substantiated.
  2. (law) Evidence based on the reports of others rather than on personal knowledge, which is normally inadmissible because it was not made under oath.
  3. (law) An out-of-court statement offered in court for the truth of the matter asserted, which is normally inadmissible because it is not subject to cross-examination unless the hearsay statement falls under one of a number of exceptions.

Derived terms

Synonyms

Translations

Adjective

hearsay ‎(not comparable)

  1. (law) that is related to, contains, or tells hearsay
    The testimony of this hearsay witness is not an evidence.

See also

External links

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

Etymology

From the phrase by hear say, a translation of Middle French par ouïr dire (1525–1535).

Pronunciation

  • Hyphenation: hear‧say

Similar Results