What does it mean to be called to testify?

1 : to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact (as in a court) 2a : to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief : bear witness. b : to serve as evidence or proof. 3 : to express a personal conviction.

What type of word is testify?

verb (used without object), tes·ti·fied, tes·ti·fy·ing. to bear witness; give or afford evidence. Law. to give testimony under oath or solemn affirmation, usually in court. to make solemn declaration.

What is the purpose of testifying?

What does that mean? You’ve seen it in the movies or on the news: leaders or subject matter experts testifying at a hearing before US Congress. The purpose of these hearings can be to inform an investigation, review proposed legislation, or vet a nominee before they are passed to the floor for full consideration.

What is the origin of testify?

testify (v.) 1400, “serve as evidence of,” from Anglo-French testifier, from Latin testificari “bear witness, show, demonstrate,” also “call to witness,” from testis “a witness” (see testament) + combining form of facere “to make” (from PIE root *dhe- “to set, put”).

Which is the best definition of the word testify?

Definition of testify. intransitive verb. 1 : to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact (as in a court) 2a : to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief : bear witness. b : to serve as evidence or proof. 3 : to express a personal conviction.

How to testify to a person’s actions in English?

To “testify about” a person’s actions is to relate details of the actions. To “testify to” a person’s actions is to confirm that the person committed the actions, without necessarily providing details. If asked, “Did Peter rob the store?”, a response of “Yes, he did” is to testify to his having robbed the store.

What are some examples of people testifying in court?

Several witnesses have come forward to testify against her. She was unwilling to testify before Congress. The president’s former aides were called to testify at his trial. The basis for the perjury conviction was he had testified falsely under oath. A senior officer testified to the existence of police hit squads.

What makes you want to look up testify?

: to make a formal statement of something sworn to be true Two witnesses testified in court. What made you want to look up testify? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). Love words? Need even more definitions?