testimony

[tes-tuh-moh-nee, or, esp. British, -muh-nee] /ˈtɛs təˌmoʊ ni, or, esp. British, -mə ni/

noun, plural testimonies.

Law. the statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation, usually in court.

evidence in support of a fact or statement; proof.

open declaration or profession, as of faith.

Usually, testimonies. the precepts of God.

the Decalogue as inscribed on the two tables of the law, or the ark in which the tables were kept. Ex. 16:34; 25:16.

Archaic. a declaration of disapproval; protest.

Origin

1350-1400; Middle English < Latin testimōnium, equivalent to testi(s) witness + -mōnium -mony

Related forms

pretestimony, noun, plural pretestimonies.

retestimony, noun, plural retestimonies.

Synonyms

1. deposition, attestation. See evidence. 2. corroboration. 3. affirmation.

Examples from the web for testimony

Her cogent testimony challenged the committee members, providing solid evidence contrary to their accusations.
Jurors look at testimony and judge whether a defendant is guilty or not guilty.
His parade of witnesses has failed to develop any testimony on spying.
We are only beginning to realize how unreliable eyewitness testimony can sometimes be.
However, you might venture to rely upon his testimony, even though you had the character of a faithful historian to support.
But academics want the historical record enriched, eventually, with as much first-hand testimony as possible.
Equally unclear is why the chancellor who presided over the hearing permitted such wide-ranging testimony.
Officials falsified statements that he gave them and then insisted that he sign the erroneous testimony, he says.
The bill proposes a new land registry based on testimony by the displaced and their neighbours.
As conspiracies are by their nature secret, prosecutors often rely on the testimony of co-operating conspirators.

British Dictionary definitions for testimony

testimony

/ˈtɛstɪmənɪ/

noun (pl) -nies

a declaration of truth or fact

(law) evidence given by a witness, esp orally in court under oath or affirmation

evidence testifying to something: her success was a testimony to her good luck

(Old Testament)

the Ten Commandments, as inscribed on the two stone tables
the Ark of the Covenant as the receptacle of these (Exodus 25:16; 16:34)

Word Origin

C15: from Latin testimōnium, from testis witness

Word Origin and History for testimony

late 14c., "the Ten Commandments," from Late Latin testimonium (Vulgate), along with Greek to martyrion (Septuagint), translations of Hebrew 'eduth "attestation, testimony" (of the Decalogue), from 'ed "witness." Meaning "evidence, statement of a witness" first recorded early 15c., from Old French testimonie (11c.), from Latin testimonium "evidence, proof, testimony," from testis "witness" (see testament) + -monium, suffix signifying action, state, condition.

testimony in the Bible

(1.) Witness or evidence (2 Thess. 1:10). (2.) The Scriptures, as the revelation of God's will (2 Kings 11:12; Ps. 19:7; 119:88; Isa. 8:16, 20). (3.) The altar raised by the Gadites and Reubenites (Josh. 22:10).