testimony
testimony — noun
1. a statement that someone makes after promising to tell the truth in a court of l
a statement that someone makes after promising to tell the truth in a court of law, describing what they know about a crime, accident, or other legal matter
The witness gave her testimony in a calm and clear voice.
give testimony (common collocation)
Felix's testimony helped the jury understand what happened on the night of the robbery.
The judge told the jury to base their decision on the testimony heard in court.
Under cross-examination, Detective Yuki's testimony was shown to contain several mistakes.
- evidence
broader term that includes testimony, documents, and physical objects; not limited to spoken or written statements
- deposition
formal written testimony taken outside court, usually before a trial begins; more technical legal term
- statement
any spoken or written account, not necessarily given under oath or in a legal setting
用法筆記
Frequently uncountable in legal contexts. When used as a countable noun (e.g. 'a powerful testimony'), it often refers to a specific instance or piece of testimony rather than the general concept.
常見錯誤
2. facts, signs, or visible results that strongly confirm that a particular quality
facts, signs, or visible results that strongly confirm that a particular quality or situation truly exists
The rising number of visitors is testimony to the city's growing popularity as a destination.
be testimony to something (grammar pattern)
The school's success is powerful testimony to the hard work of both teachers and students.
Tara's old photographs stand as testimony to a way of life that has long disappeared.
The awards on Élise's shelf are testimony to years of hard work and dedication.
- proof
stronger and more conclusive; applies to facts that cannot be doubted, not just strong indications
- evidence
broader term that can refer to any facts or signs; less emphatic than testimony
- indication
weaker than testimony; a sign that something might be true rather than clear evidence
用法筆記
Typically follows the pattern 'be testimony to something' or 'stand as testimony to something'. The subject is usually an achievement, result, or visible sign, and the object is the quality or situation it confirms.