[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

witness \wit"ness\, n. as. witness, gewitnes, from witan to
   know. root133. see wit, v. i.
   1913 webster
   1. attestation of a fact or an event; testimony.
      1913 webster

            may we with . . . the witness of a good conscience,
            pursue him with any further revenge?  --shak.
      1913 webster

            if i bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
                                                  --john v. 31.
      1913 webster

   2. that which furnishes evidence or proof.
      1913 webster

            laban said to jacob, . . . this heap be witness, and
            this pillar be witness.               --gen. xxxi.
                                                  51, 52.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            upon my looking round, i was witness to appearances
            which filled me with melancholy and regret. --r.
                                                  hall.
      1913 webster

   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.
          1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            this, i confess, is haste with a witness. --south.
      1913 webster
see also:
wit privileged witnesses privileged with a witness 

Witness >> W Words
Witness, definition of term: Witness
witness_pag1.html

Witness Stand >> W Words
Witness Stand, definition of term: Witness Stand
witness+stand_pag1.html

False Witness >> F Words
False Witness, definition of term: False Witness
false+witness_pag1.html