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.
Ev"i*dence (?), n. [F. évidence, 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, or 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 or State's
evidence, to confess a crime and give evidence against one's
accomplices.
Syn. -- Testimony; proof. See Testimony.
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