verb (used without object), tes·ti·fied, tes·ti·fy·ing.
- to bear witness; give or afford evidence.
- Law. to give testimony under oath or solemn affirmation, usually in court.
- to make solemn declaration.
verb (used with object), tes·ti·fied, tes·ti·fy·ing.
- to bear witness to; affirm as fact or truth; attest.
- to give or afford evidence of in any manner.
- Law. to state or declare under oath or affirmation, usually in court.
- to declare, profess, or acknowledge openly.
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
- (when tr, may take a clause as object) to state (something) formally as a declaration of factI testify that I know nothing about him
- law to declare or give (evidence) under oath, esp in court
- (when intr, often foll by to) to be evidence (of); serve as witness (to)the money testified to his good faith
- (tr) to declare or acknowledge openly
v.late 14c., “to serve as evidence of,” from Latin testificari “bear witness,” from testis “witness” (see testament) + root of facere “to make” (see factitious). Biblical sense of “openly profess one’s faith and devotion” is attested from 1520s. Related: Testified; testifying.