evidence, proof, testimony
- evidence, proof, testimony
These words are occasionally used as synonyms, but they do have distinct meanings. Evidence is information given in an investigation to support a contention: "At the trial, the witness presented evidence to convict the accused." Proof is that kind of evidence which is so weighty as to remove any possible doubt: "His signed confession is proof of his guilt." Testimony is the statement of a witness, usually given under oath: "The jury listened attentively to the testimony." Evidence and testimony are often confused, but testimony should be used to refer only to statements and evidence to any ground for belief that is spoken, written, or presented in any other form.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions.
Harry Shaw.
1975.
Look at other dictionaries:
testimony — late 14c., the Ten Commandments, from L.L. testimonium (Vulgate), along with Gk. to martyrion (Septuagint), translations of Heb. eduth attestation, testimony (of the Decalogue), from ed witness. Meaning evidence, statement of a witness first… … Etymology dictionary
testimony — See evidence. See evidence, proof, testimony … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
proof — See evidence. See evidence, proof, testimony … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
evidence — See evidence, proof, testimony … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
evidence — ev·i·dence 1 / e və dəns, ˌdens/ n [Medieval Latin evidentia, from Latin, that which is obvious, from evident evidens clear, obvious, from e out of, from + videns, present participle of videre to see]: something that furnishes or tends to furnish … Law dictionary
testimony — tes·ti·mo·ny / tes tə ˌmō nē/ n pl nies [Latin testimonium, from testis witness]: evidence furnished by a witness under oath or affirmation and either orally or in an affidavit or deposition former testimony: testimony that a witness gives at a… … Law dictionary
Testimony — Tes ti*mo*ny, n.; 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. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
proof — n [alteration of Middle English preove, from Old French preuve, from Late Latin proba, from Latin probare to prove] 1: the effect of evidence sufficient to persuade a reasonable person that a particular fact exists see also evidence 2: the… … Law dictionary
evidence — n Evidence, testimony, deposition, affidavit are, in their legal senses, closely related but not synonymous terms. The last three designate forms of evidence, or material submitted to a competent legal tribunal as a means of ascertaining where… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
evidence — /ev i deuhns/, n., v., evidenced, evidencing. n. 1. that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof. 2. something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign: His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever. 3.… … Universalium
