Testimony word meaning and definition

[noun] something that serves as evidence; "his effort was testimony to his devotion"
[noun] an assertion offering firsthand authentication of a fact; "according to his own testimony he can't do it"
[noun] a solemn statement made under oath

\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. 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.) 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? Scriptures. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. --Ps. xix. 7. Syn: Proof; evidence; attestation; witness; affirmation; confirmation; averment. Usage: {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. To witness; to attest; to prove by testimony. [Obs.] --Shak.

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