Evidence
Definitions
- Facts, information, or objects that help to prove something or show that something is true.
- Something that makes clear the truth of a claim or belief.
- A sign or indication of something.
Usage Examples
- The police gathered evidence to solve the crime.
- Her evidence supported the theory of climate change.
- The evidence was presented in court to prove his innocence.
Etymology
From Middle English "evidence," derived from Old French "evidance" (meaning 'clearness, evident fact'), which comes from Latin "evidentia" (meaning 'clearness, obviousness'), from "evidens" (meaning 'clear, obvious').
Synonyms
- Proof
- Testimony
- Indication
- Clue
- Confirmation
- Demonstration
- Verification
Antonyms
- Obscurity
- Conjecture
- Guess
- Speculation
- Assumption
Translations
| Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
| Spanish |
evidencia |
/eβiˈðenθja/ |
| French |
preuve |
/pʁœv/ |
| German |
Beweis |
/bəˈvaɪs/ |
| Italian |
evidenza |
/eviˈdɛntsa/ |
| Russian |
доказательство |
/dəkɐˈzatʲɪlʲstvə/ |
| Chinese |
证据 |
/zhèngjù/ |
| Arabic |
دليل |
/dalīl/ |
| Hindi |
साक्ष्य |
/saːkʂjə/ |
| Bengali |
প্রমাণ |
/prɔmaːɳo/ |
| Gujarati |
સાક્ષી |
/saːkʂiː/ |
| Marathi |
पुरावा |
/puraːʋa/ |
| Telugu |
సాక్ష్యం |
/saːkʂjəm/ |
| Tamil |
சாட்சியம் |
/saːt͡ʃʰijəm/ |
| Kannada |
ಸಾಕ್ಷ್ಯ |
/saːkʂjə/ |
| Punjabi |
ਗਵਾਹੀ |
/ɡəˈʋaːhiː/ |
| Malayalam |
സാക്ഷ്യം |
/saːkʂjəm/ |
| Odia |
ସାକ୍ଷ୍ୟ |
/saːkʂʰjɔ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
The word "evidence" may be pronounced differently in various English dialects. In American English, the pronunciation places emphasis on the first syllable, while in British English, the pronunciation tends to soften the second syllable slightly.
Historical Usage
Used since the 14th century, "evidence" was originally derived from the Latin word "evidentia" meaning "obviousness" or "clear proof." The term became central in legal contexts as well as in scientific methods to establish facts and truth over the centuries.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, evidence is seen as the cornerstone of justice. In the Western legal tradition, the importance of evidence is paramount in establishing the guilt or innocence of an individual. Other cultural contexts may emphasize anecdotal or oral evidence, especially in societies with strong traditions of storytelling.
More Information
Evidence plays a crucial role in various fields such as law, science, and history. In law, it refers to the information presented in court to prove a point. In science, it refers to facts or observations that support a theory. The gathering and assessment of evidence are vital in making informed decisions, both in legal settings and in everyday life. The term "evidence" is also central to debates about truth, as it is often used to validate claims and counter arguments.