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Observer vs Witness - What's the difference?

observer | witness |

As nouns the difference between observer and witness

is that observer is one who makes observations, monitors or takes notice while witness is attestation of a fact or event; testimony.

As a verb witness is

to furnish proof of, to show.

observer

English

(wikipedia observer)

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who makes observations, monitors or takes notice
    • Most impartial observers agreed that Sampras had not served well.
  • One who adheres or follows laws, guidelines, etc.
    • I shall be an observer of the local customs.
  • A person sent as a representative, to a meeting or other function to monitor but not to participate
    • The UN sent many observers to the country's first elections.
  • (military) A crew member on an aircraft who makes observations of enemy positions or aircraft
    • The only crew-member to survive the crash was the Canadian observer .
  • (military) A sentry etc. manning an observation post
    • We waited till dusk when the observers' vision was poorest.

    Related terms

    * observance * observant * observation * observational * observatory * observe

    External links

    * * ----

    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

    *