testify
/ˈtɛstɪfaɪ/
verb
Origin
Latin
testificari — to bear witness
Overview
Meaning Now
- To bear witness to a fact or event, especially in a court of law.
- To serve as evidence or proof of something.
Literal older meaning
to make a witness (of)
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
testifien
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word is rooted in the Latin 'testis', which is the source of other legal terminology like 'testament' and 'attest'. In Roman law, the 'testis' was a third party who provided objective information about a dispute.
Evolution
- Latin
testis
“witness”
Root noun for person who sees.
- Latin
testificari
“to bear witness”
Compound of testis + facere (to make).
- Old French
testifier
“to testify”
- Middle English
testifien
“to witness”
Connections
Word parts
testi-
root
witness
-fy
suffix
to make or do
Related across languages
French
témoigner
to testify
Spanish
testificar
to testify
Explore next
Related to testify
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.