▪ I. † ˈwitne, v. Obs.
Also 4 witt(e)ne, (wythene).
[a. ON. vitna, related to vitni witness, f. wit- wit v.1 (Cf. etym. note s.v. witness v.)]
1. trans. To bear witness to; to attest, testify. Also absol. or intr. to bear witness.
| a 1225 Ancr. R. 30 Þet ich þurh hore bonen mote habben þe tweolf bowes þet bloweð of cherite, ase seinte Powel witneð. Ibid. 384 Seint Powel witneð þet alle uttre herd⁓schipes..al is ase nout aȝean luue. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 5355 Als þe buke wythenes. a 1400–50 Wars Alex. 2900 With slike a reryd þan it rynnes, þe romance it witnes, Þat, qua so tuke it in þat tyme, tint ware for euire. c 1400 Rule St. Benet (verse) 753 For þe wisman witnes & sais [etc.]. |
2. To invoke, entreat.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 171 Iob witnede ure drihten, þat of þis deað him redde, on þe carefuldai. |
3. To impute, ascribe.
| c 1350 Will. Palerne 3462 Holli williams werkes þei wittened it alle, nade his douȝthi dedes be þei hade be dede alle. |
▪ II. witne
obs. pa. pple. of wit v.1