1
general::
witness to sth
UK formal
to state publicly, especially in a law court, that something is true or that it happened
• A handwriting expert witnessed to the authenticity of the letter.
• [ + -ing verb ]: She witnessed to having seen the robbery take place.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
witness
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + witness
a key witness
(= a very important witness )
• Rupert is expected to be a key witness at the trial.
a star witness
(= an important witness who says things that help one side a lot )
• The judge ruled that the state’s star witness had lied on the stand.
a principal witness
(= a main witness )
• The principal witness was too ill to testify.
an expert witness
(= someone who has special knowledge, for example of medicine, and who talks about it in court )
• The jury had to choose between the conflicting testimonies of expert witnesses.
a character witness
(= a witness who says that the person being tried is a good person )
• He said he would gladly be a character witness for her.
a prosecution witness
• During the trial, over thirty prosecution witnesses were called.
a defence witness
• A defence witness said that Carter was not holding a gun when the shot was fired.
phrases
a witness for the prosecution/defence
• Witnesses for the prosecution have not sounded convincing.
verbs
call a witness
(= require a witness to speak in court )
• She was the final witness to be called.
question a witness
• They were not permitted to question government witnesses.
cross-examine a witness
(= ask them questions about what they have said )
• His attorney cross-examined the witness.
appear as a witness
• He appeared as an expert witness at several government enquiries.
a witness testifies
(= makes a statement )
• We had two witnesses who testified that they had seen him hitting his wife.
a witness gives evidence
• Child witnesses gave evidence using closed circuit television cameras.
witness + NOUN
the witness box/stand
(= where the witness sits when speaking in court )
• He spent three hours in the witness stand.
the statement/testimony of a witness
(= what a witness says )
• The testimony of one witness led to his conviction.
transnet.ir
3
general::
noun person who sees sth ADJ. eye (also eyewitness) An eyewitness account described the plane as a ‘fireball’. | crucial, key, material, vital As the last person to see her alive, he was a material witness in the case. | independent | credible, reliable, unimpeachable | unreliable VERB + WITNESS appeal for The police are appealing for witnesses. | trace Police have so far failed to trace any witnesses to the attack. WITNESS + VERB come forward Two witnesses came forward with evidence. WITNESS + NOUN account, statement PREP. ~ to a witness to murder in a court of law ADJ. chief, main, principal the defence's chief witness | hostile | reluctant, unwilling | defence | prosecution, state | expert | character | civilian, police VERB + WITNESS call The defence called their first witness. | appear as She appeared as a character witness. | swear in | cross-examine, examine, interrogate, interview, question | hear | discredit | intimidate, threaten A judicial enquiry was ordered, but witnesses were threatened and none would testify. | suborn He was charged with conspiracy to suborn witnesses. WITNESS + VERB take the stand The next witness took the stand. | give evidence, testify | make a statement, state sth | identify sb She was the only witness to identify Peters as the attacker. WITNESS + NOUN box, stand | summons PHRASES a witness for the defence/prosecution of a signature VERB + WITNESS act as WITNESS + VERB sign PREP. ~ to Would you be willing to act as a witness to my signature when I sign my will?
Oxford Collocations Dictionary