Emily Dickinson Lexicon

WIT'NESS, n. [Sax. witnesse, from witan, to know.]

1. Testimony; attestation of a fact or event. If I hear witness of myself, my witness is not true. – John v.
2. That which furnishes evidence or proof. Laban said, this heap is a witness between me and thee this day. – Gen. xxxi.
3. A person who knows or sees any thing; one personally present; as, he was witness; he was an eye-witness. – 1 Pet. v. Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances which filled me with melancholy and regret. – Rob. Hall, 2, 349.
4. One who sees the execution of an instrument, and subscribes it for the purpose of confirming its authenticity by his testimony.
5. One who gives testimony; as, the witnesses in court agreed in all essential facts. With a witness, effectually; to a great degree; with great force, so as to leave some mark as a testimony behind. He struck with a witness. [Not elegant.]