evidence English · revision 3468

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1300|origins=la ēvidēns}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈev.ɪ.dəns/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|evidence]], [[bor|fro|evidence]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) from [[la-lat|ēvidentia|t=proof]], in classical Latin “clearness, vivid presentation” in rhetoric,^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[m|la|ēvidēns|t=obvious, apparent]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) the source of [[evident]],^(AHD 2000)^(Cresswell 2021) from [[m|la|ē-|t=out]] and [[m|la|vidēre|t=to see]].^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An appearance from which inferences may be drawn, a sign: before 1300,^(OED 1989) or about 1300.^(Etymonline) An example, a sense frequent in Gower, is also from before 1300 and is now obsolete.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Ground for belief, testimony or facts tending to prove something” is from about 1380,^(OED 1989) or the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) Documents preserved as evidence of a right are ''evidences'' from 1385.^(HTOED) The legal senses date from about 1500, when ''evidence'' began to replace ''witness'',^(Etymonline) and a person who gives testimony is an ''evidence'' from the 1590s, hence ''turn State's evidence''.^(Etymonline) “Obviousness, clearness” is from the 1660s^(Etymonline) or 1665.^(OED 1989) ''In evidence'', “conspicuous”, follows French ''en évidence''.^(OED 1989) The verb “to show clearly, prove” is from about 1600.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1300 – a sign, indication.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – ground for belief.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1385 – documents kept as evidence.^(HTOED)

+ * c. 1500 – legal evidence.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1590s – a witness.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1600 – verb, to prove.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1665 – clearness.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Something that helps in forming a conclusion or judgement; [[proof]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Something indicative; an outward sign.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(law)'' The statements, documents and objects admissible as [[testimony]] in court.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To indicate clearly; to show or prove.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # To support by testimony; to [[attest]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[counterevidence]]

+ * [[self-evidence]]

+ * [[unevidenced]]

+ * [[circumstantial evidence]]

+ * [[hearsay evidence]]

+ * [[state's evidence]]

+ * [[direct evidence]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[evident]]

+ * [[evidential]]

+ * [[evidentiary]]

+ * [[vision]]

+ * [[video]]

+ * [[provide]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}