testimony

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtɛstɪməni/ (UK); /ˈtɛstɪmoʊni/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English testimonie, from Old North French testimonie and directly borrowed from Latin testimonium (“evidence, proof”),^[2][3][4] from testis (“a witness”) and the suffix -mōnium (see -mony).^[2][5] Etymonline thinks the word unlikely to have anything directly to do with testes.^[2] The earlier form in English, from Old French, was testimoigne (about 1300).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The Ten Commandments, or the stone tablets they were written on: before 1382, in the Wycliffe Bible.^[6][7][2] This follows the Vulgate's testimonium, which, like Greek martyrion, translates Hebrew ʿēdūth, attestation, from ʿēd, witness.^[2][4]

Semantic evolution

Proof or demonstration of a fact is from about 1400,^[2] and in law the sworn statement of a witness from the early 15th century.^[2][7] The precepts of God, the divine law, is from 1535.^[7] Open attestation or confession of faith, the evangelical sense, is by the 1540s.^[2][7] Any object or act serving as proof is from 1597.^[7]

Timeline

• before 1382 – the Decalogue.^[6][7]
• c. 1400 – proof, evidence.^[2]
• early 15th century – a witness's statement.^[2]
• 1540s – a profession of faith.^[2]
• 1597 – anything serving as proof.^[7]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A formal statement given by a witness, especially under oath in a court of law.
2. Evidence or proof of something: a testimony to her skill.
3. A public declaration of religious faith.

Related words

• testify
• testimonial
• testament
• attest
• protest
• contest

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
6. ^ a b Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
7. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press