evidence

[ev-i-duh ns] /ˈɛv ɪ dəns/
noun
1.
that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.
2.
something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign:
His flushed look was visible evidence of his fever.
3.
Law. data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects.
verb (used with object), evidenced, evidencing.
4.
to make evident or clear; show clearly; manifest:
He evidenced his approval by promising his full support.
5.
to support by evidence:
He evidenced his accusation with incriminating letters.
Idioms
6.
in evidence, plainly visible; conspicuous:
The first signs of spring are in evidence.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English (noun) < Middle French < Latin ēvidentia. See evident, -ence
Related forms
counterevidence, noun
preevidence, noun
reevidence, verb (used with object), reevidenced, reevidencing.
superevidence, noun
unevidenced, adjective
well-evidenced, adjective
Synonyms
3. information, deposition, affidavit. Evidence, exhibit, testimony, proof refer to information furnished in a legal investigation to support a contention. Evidence is any information so given, whether furnished by witnesses or derived from documents or from any other source: Hearsay evidence is not admitted in a trial. An exhibit in law is a document or article that is presented in court as evidence: The signed contract is Exhibit A. Testimony is usually evidence given by witnesses under oath: The jury listened carefully to the testimony. Proof is evidence that is so complete and convincing as to put a conclusion beyond reasonable doubt: proof of the innocence of the accused. 4. demonstrate.
Examples from the web for evidence
  • The evidence appeared to paint a shocking picture.
  • This absence of evidence matters.
  • The agent posed as a dog buyer and got enough evidence to swear out the search warrant used in the raid.
  • The evidence was far from clear-cut.
  • Scientists have found evidence of a response to pheromones in the human brain, a new report says.
  • New evidence reveals a city beneath ancient Alexandria.
  • You raise some interesting possibilities for which, it appears, no sound evidence exists at the moment.
  • The evidence is meticulously documented and profusely illustrated.
  • There is, as I've mentioned, mountains of evidence against your claims.
  • In some cases, evidence has been lost or destroyed, the newspaper said.
British Dictionary definitions for evidence

evidence

/ˈɛvɪdəns/
noun
1.
ground for belief or disbelief; data on which to base proof or to establish truth or falsehood
2.
a mark or sign that makes evident; indication: his pallor was evidence of ill health
3.
(law) matter produced before a court of law in an attempt to prove or disprove a point in issue, such as the statements of witnesses, documents, material objects, etc See also circumstantial evidence, direct evidence
4.
turn queen's evidence, turn king's evidence, turn state's evidence, (of an accomplice) to act as witness for the prosecution and testify against those associated with him in crime
5.
in evidence, on display; apparent; conspicuous: her new ring was in evidence
verb (transitive)
6.
to make evident; show clearly
7.
to give proof of or evidence for
Word Origin and History for evidence
n.

c.1300, "appearance from which inferences may be drawn," from Old French evidence, from Late Latin evidentia "proof," originally "distinction, clearness," from Latin evidentem (see evident).

Meaning "ground for belief" is from late 14c., that of "obviousness" is 1660s. Legal senses are from c.1500, when it began to oust witness. As a verb, from c.1600. Related: Evidenced; evidencing.

Idioms and Phrases with evidence

evidence

see: