testimony
TESS-tuh-moh-nee
/ˈtes.tə.moʊ.ni/
A formal written or spoken statement given under oath, especially in a court of law.
Testimony is evidence given specifically under oath subject to penalties for perjury.
The story behind the word. From Latin testimonium, derived from testis, meaning witness. In ancient Rome, a witness stood as a third party ('ter-') to attest to facts between two disputants.
Word relationships
- statement: Statement can be unsworn; testimony is sworn under penalty of perjury.
- deposition: Deposition is sworn testimony taken out of court prior to trial.
Commonly confused with
- testament: Testament refers to a will or proof of a quality; testimony is sworn court statement.
Word family
- testify (verb): To give testimony under oath.
- testifier (noun): One who gives testimony.
Collocations
- eyewitness testimony
- sworn testimony
- deliver testimony
Example sentences
- "The witness gave compelling testimony during the trial." Trial Evidence
- "The defense attorney challenged the reliability of key expert testimony." Legal Challenge
Memory hook
TESTimony is given by a witness taking a TEST of truth. Sworn words of a witness = Testimony.
When not to use
Do not use for casual unsworn statements or rumors.
Fun facts
- The root 'testis' also gives us words like 'testify', 'attest', and 'contest'.
Related words
Also appears in
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