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Record vs Witness - What's the difference?

record | witness |

As nouns the difference between record and witness

is that record is record while witness is attestation of a fact or event; testimony.

As a verb witness is

to furnish proof of, to show.

record

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) , from recorder. See .

Noun

(en noun)
  • An item of information put into a temporary or permanent physical medium.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
    • , author=John T. Jost , title=Social Justice: Is It in Our Nature (and Our Future)? , volume=100, issue=2, page=162 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=He draws eclectically on studies of baboons, descriptive anthropological accounts of hunter-gatherer societies and, in a few cases, the fossil record .}}
    The person had a record of the interview so she could review her notes.
    The tourist's photographs and the tape of the police call provide a record of the crime.
  • Any instance of a physical medium on which information was put for the purpose of preserving it and making it available for future reference.
    • We have no record of you making this payment to us.
  • A vinyl disc on which sound is recorded and may be replayed on a phonograph.
    • I still like records better than CDs.
  • (computing) A set of data relating to a single individual or item.
  • The most extreme known value of some achievement, particularly in competitive events.
    • The heat and humidity were both new records .
    The team set a new record for most points scored in a game.
    Synonyms
    * log * (information put into a lasting physical medium) * (vinyl disk) disc/disk * (most extreme known value)
    Derived terms
    * activation record * for the record * of record * on record * off the record * on the record * record-breaking * public record * world record

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a record of information.
    • I wanted to record every detail of what happened, for the benefit of future generations.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=September 7 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Moldova 0-5 England , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=The display and result must be placed in the context that was it was against a side that looked every bit their Fifa world ranking of 141 - but England completed the job with efficiency to record their biggest away win in 19 years.}}
  • Specifically, to make an audio or video recording of.
    • Within a week they had recorded both the song and the video for it.
  • * '>citation
  • (legal) To give legal status to by making an official public record.
    • When the deed was recorded , we officially owned the house.
  • To fix in a medium, usually in a tangible medium.
  • To make an audio, video, or multimedia recording.
  • (transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To repeat; to practice.
  • (ambitransitive, obsolete) To sing or repeat a tune.
    • (Shakespeare)
  • * W. Browne
    • whether the birds or she recorded best
  • * Fairfax
    • They longed to see the day, to hear the lark / Record her hymns, and chant her carols blest.
  • (obsolete) To reflect; to ponder.
  • * Fuller
    • Praying all the way, and recording upon the words which he before had read.
    Derived terms
    * recordable * recorder * recording

    Antonyms

    * (make a record of information) erase * (make an audio or video recording of) erase

    witness

    English

    Noun

    (es)
  • Attestation of a fact or event; testimony.
    • She can bear witness , since she was there at the time.
  • * Shakespeare
    • May we with the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge?
  • One who sees or has personal knowledge of something.
    • As a witness to the event, I can confirm that he really said that.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Thyself art witness I am betrothed.
  • * R. Hall
    • Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances which filled me with melancholy and regret.
  • Someone called to give evidence in a court.
    • The witness for the prosecution did not seem very credible.
  • Something that serves as evidence; a sign.
  • * Bible, Genesis xxxi. 51, 52
    • Laban said to Jacob, This heap be witness', and this pillar be ' witness .

    Derived terms

    * expert witness * eyewitness * key witness * principal witness

    Verb

    (es)
  • To furnish proof of, to show.
    • This certificate witnesses his presence on that day.
  • * 1667': round he throws his baleful eyes / That '''witness'd huge affliction and dismay — John Milton, ''Paradise Lost , Book 1 ll. 56-7
  • To take as evidence.
  • *
  • To see or gain knowledge of through experience.
    • He witnessed the accident.
  • * R. Hall
    • This is but a faint sketch of the incalculable calamities and horrors we must expect, should we ever witness the triumphs of modern infidelity.
  • * Marshall
    • General Washington did not live to witness the restoration of peace.
  • To present personal religious testimony; to preach at (someone) or on behalf of.
  • * 1998 , "Niebuhr, Reinhold", Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy , volume 6?, page 842
    • Instead, Niebuhr's God was the God witnessed to in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, the Bible of the Christian world.
  • To see the execution of (a legal instrument), and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity.
    • to witness a bond or a deed

    Synonyms

    * certify

    Anagrams

    *