1.witness的基本意思是“亲眼看见”“目击”某事件的发生,也可表示“作证”“证明”,还有“表示”“说明”的意思。
2.witness一般用作及物动词,接名词、代词、动名词或that从句作宾语。

witness to(v.+prep.)
▲witness to sth/v-ing
1.对…作证 declare the truth of (sth), as in court
She brought several persons of good credit to witness to her reputation.她带来几位很有声誉的人物为她的名誉作证。
He witnessed to having seen the man enter the building.他作证说看见那人走进那幢房子。
Who witnessed to his signing the documents?谁是他签署这些文件的证人?
2.证明; 表明 prove (sth) by showing it clearly
Her actions witness to her trustworthiness.她的行为证明她是可以信赖的。
The material he wrote witnesses to his abilities.他写的材料表明了他的才能。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
I witnessed the accident.我亲眼目睹了这场事故。
He witnessed a change in her.他注意到了她的变化。
The park witnessed a number of duels.这个公园发生过许多次决斗。
The 1980s have witnessed increasing unemployment.20世纪80年代发生了不断增长的失业现象。
Severe damage witnessed the destructive force of the storm.严重的损失表明了这场暴风雨巨大的破坏力。
▲S+～+that-clause
None could witness that he was present.没有人能证明他在现场。
My wife will witness that I was at home all night.我妻子会证明那天我整夜都在家。

［词源］＜中古英语witnesse(目击者,证人)

She was a witness of the incident.她是这起事件的目击者。
A witness was examined by him in a court of law.他在法庭上询问一个证人。
He gave witness on behalf of an accused person.他为被告作证。
His clothes are a witness to his poverty.他的穿着可以证明他穷。