TESTIMONYING
TESTIMONY
Tes"ti*mo*ny, n.; pl. Testimonies. Etym: [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.
Note: 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.)
Definition: 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
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, v. t.
Definition: To witness; to attest; to prove by testimony. [Obs.] Shak.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition