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Signify vs Testify - What's the difference?

signify | testify | Related terms |

Signify is a related term of testify.


As verbs the difference between signify and testify

is that signify is to give (something) a meaning or an importance while testify is to make a declaration, or give evidence, under oath.

signify

English

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To give (something) a meaning or an importance.
  • To show one’s intentions with a sign etc.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
  • I'll to the king; and signify to him / That thus I have resign'd my charge to you.
  • * (rfdate) (Jonathan Swift)
  • The government should signify to the Protestants of Ireland that want of silver is not to be remedied.
  • To mean; to betoken.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
  • A tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying nothing.

    Synonyms

    * (l) * (l)

    testify

    English

    Verb

    (en-verb) (intransitive'' or ''transitive )
  • To make a declaration, or give evidence, under oath.
  • * 2014 , (Ruzwana Bashir), " The untold story of how a culture of shame perpetuates abuse. I know, I was a victim", The Guardian , 29 August 2014:
  • It was only after a decade away from Skipton that I was finally able to garner the courage to return and testify against my abuser.
  • * Bible, Numbers xxxv. 30
  • One witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
  • To make a statement based on personal knowledge or faith.
  • * Bible, John iii. 11
  • We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

    Synonyms

    * bear witness

    See also

    * compel testimony