King's evidence

Evidence Ev"i*dence, n. [F. ['e]vidence, L. Evidentia. See {Evident}.] 1. That which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgement; as, the evidence of our senses; evidence of the truth or falsehood of a statement. [1913 Webster]

Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen. --Heb. xi. 1. [1913 Webster]

O glorious trial of exceeding love Illustrious evidence, example high. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. One who bears witness. [R.] ``Infamous and perjured evidences.'' --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

3. (Law) That which is legally submitted to competent tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation before it; means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking, not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect of it. --Greenleaf. [1913 Webster]

{Circumstantial evidence}, {Conclusive evidence}, etc. See under {Circumstantial}, {Conclusive}, etc.

{Crown's evidence}, {King's evidence}, or {Queen's evidence}, evidence for the crown, in English courts; equivalent to {state's evidence} in American courts. [Eng.]

{State's evidence}, evidence for the government or the people. [U. S. ]

{To turn King's evidence} {To turn Queen's evidence}, or {To turn State's evidence}, to confess a crime and give evidence against one's accomplices.

Syn: Testimony; proof. See {Testimony}. [1913 Webster]