Ev"i*dence (?), n. [F. 'evidence, L. Evidentia. See Evident.]
1.
That which makes evident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgement; as, the evidence of our senses; evidence of the truth or falsehood of a statement.
Faith is . . . the evidence of things not seen.
Heb. xi. 1.
O glorious trial of exceeding love
Illustrious evidence, example high.
Milton.
2.
One who bears witness.
[R.] "Infamous and perjured
evidences."
Sir W. Scott.
3. Law
That which is legally submitted to competent tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation before it; means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking, not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect of it.
Greenleaf.
Circumstantial evidence, Conclusive evidence, etc. See under Circumstantial, Conclusive, etc. -- [Crown's, King's, ∨ Queen's evidence, evidence for the crown. [Eng.] -- State's evidence, evidence for the government or the people. [U. S. ] -- To turn King's, Queen's ∨ State's evidence, to confess a crime and give evidence against one's accomplices.
Syn. -- Testimony; proof. See Testimony.
© Webster 1913.
Ev"i*dence, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Evidenced (?); p, pr. & vb. n. Evidencing (?).]
To render evident or clear; to prove; to evince; as, to evidence a fact, or the guilt of an offender.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.