testimony English · revision 7073

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1382|origins=la testis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtɛstɪməni/ ''(UK)''; /ˈtɛstɪmoʊni/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English testimonie, from Old North French testimonie and directly [[bor|la|testimonium|t=evidence, proof]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|testis|t=a witness]] and the suffix -mōnium (see [[-mony]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) Etymonline thinks the word unlikely to have anything directly to do with testes.^(Etymonline) The earlier form in English, from Old French, was testimoigne (about 1300).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The Ten Commandments, or the stone tablets they were written on: before 1382, in the Wycliffe Bible.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) This follows the Vulgate's testimonium, which, like Greek martyrion, translates Hebrew ʿēdūth, attestation, from ʿēd, witness.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Proof or demonstration of a fact is from about 1400,^(Etymonline) and in law the sworn statement of a witness from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The precepts of God, the divine law, is from 1535.^(OED 1989) Open attestation or confession of faith, the evangelical sense, is by the 1540s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Any object or act serving as proof is from 1597.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1382 – the Decalogue.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – proof, evidence.^(Etymonline)

+ * early 15th century – a witness's statement.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1540s – a profession of faith.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1597 – anything serving as proof.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A formal statement given by a witness, especially under oath in a court of law.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Evidence or proof of something: ''a testimony to her skill''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A public declaration of religious faith.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[testify]]

+ * [[testimonial]]

+ * [[testament]]

+ * [[attest]]

+ * [[protest]]

+ * [[contest]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}