evidence

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɛvɪd(ə)ns/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid: the study finds little evidence of overt discrimination
  • Law information drawn from personal testimony, a document, or a material object, used to establish facts in a legal investigation or admissible as testimony in a law court: without evidence, they can’t bring a charge
  • signs or indications of something: there was no obvious evidence of a break-in

verb

[with object]
  • be or show evidence of: the quality of the bracelet, as evidenced by the workmanship, is exceptional

Phrases

call someone in evidence

Law summon someone as a witness.

give evidence

Law give information and answer questions formally and in person in a law court or at an inquiry: the person concerned may refuse to give evidence

in evidence

noticeable; conspicuous: his dramatic flair is still very much in evidence

turn King's (or Queen's or US state's) evidence

Law (of a criminal) give information in court against one’s partners in order to receive a less severe punishment: in exchange for not being prosecuted he agreed to turn Queen’s evidence

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin evidentia, from evident- 'obvious to the eye or mind' (see evident)

Spelling help

Spell evidence with evi- at the beginning.