Testimony

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 Webster]

Note: Such declaration, in judicial proceedings, may be verbal or written, but must be under oath or affirmation. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

3. Open attestation; profession. [1913 Webster]

[Thou] for the testimony of truth, hast borne Universal reproach. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

4. Witness; evidence; proof of some fact. [1913 Webster]

When ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. --Mark vi. 11. [1913 Webster]

5. (Jewish Antiq.) The two tables of the law. [1913 Webster]

Thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. --Ex. xxv. 16. [1913 Webster]

6. Hence, the whole divine revelation; the sacre? Scriptures. [1913 Webster]

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. --Ps. xix. 7. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]