Testify
/ˈtɛstəˌfaɪ/noun
To give evidence as a witness in a court of law.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, witnesses would make oaths while holding their testicles, a practice that gave rise to the term 'testis', meaning 'witness' in Latin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*testis
“one that bears witness or a witness.”
Latin
Latin
testari
“to bear witness or to testify.”
Old French
Old French
testifier
“to declare or bear witness.”
Middle English
Middle English
testifien
“to testify or give evidence.”
Modern English
English
testify
“to affirm or declare under oath.”