/ ?w?tn?s; ˋw?tn?s/ n
[C] (a) (also `eye-witness) person who sees an event take place (and is therefore able to describe it to others) 目擊者: witnesses (at the scene) of the accident 事故(現場)的目擊者 * I was a witness to their quarrel. 我是他們吵架時的目擊者.(b) person who gives evidence in a lawcourt after swearing to tell the truth (在法庭上經宣誓的)證人: a defence/prosecution witness 被告的[原告的]證人 * a witness for the defence/prosecution 被告的[原告的]證人 * The witness was cross-examined by the defending counsel. 證人受到辯護律師的詰問. (c) person who is present at an event, esp the signing of a document, in order to testify to the fact that it took place 見證人(尤指見證簽署文件的): Will you act as witness to the agreement between us? 您作我們協議簽署時的見證人行嗎?
[U, C usu sing 作不可數名詞或可數名詞, 後者通常作單數] (fml 文) what is said about an event, etc, esp in a lawcourt; (thing that serves as) testimony or evidence 證詞(尤指法庭中的); 證明; 證據: give witness on behalf of an accused person 為被告作證 * His ragged clothes were (a) witness to his poverty. 他的破爛衣物可以證明他很貧窮.