witness noun
1 person who sees sth
ADJ. eye (also eyewitness) An eyewitness account described the plane as a ‘fireball’. | crucial, key, material, vital As the last person to see her alive, he was a material witness in the case. | independent | credible, reliable, unimpeachable | unreliable
VERB + WITNESS appeal for The police are appealing for witnesses. | trace Police have so far failed to trace any witnesses to the attack.
WITNESS + VERB come forward Two witnesses came forward with evidence.
WITNESS + NOUN account, statement
PREP. ~ to a witness to murder
2 in a court of law
ADJ. chief, main, principal the defence's chief witness | hostile | reluctant, unwilling | defence | prosecution, state | expert | character | civilian, police
VERB + WITNESS call The defence called their first witness. | appear as She appeared as a character witness. | swear in | cross-examine, examine, interrogate, interview, question | hear | discredit | intimidate, threaten A judicial enquiry was ordered, but witnesses were threatened and none would testify. | suborn He was charged with conspiracy to suborn witnesses.
WITNESS + VERB take the stand The next witness took the stand. | give evidence, testify | make a statement, state sth | identify sb She was the only witness to identify Peters as the attacker.
WITNESS + NOUN box, stand | summons
PHRASES a witness for the defence/prosecution
3 of a signature
VERB + WITNESS act as
WITNESS + VERB sign
PREP. ~ to Would you be willing to act as a witness to my signature when I sign my will?
You can also check other dicts: witness (English, 中文解释 ), wordnet sense, Collins Definition