c. 1400, "proof or demonstration of some fact, evidence, piece of evidence;" early 15c., "legal testimony, sworn statement of a witness," from Old North French testimonie (Old French testimoine 11c.), from Latin testimonium "evidence, proof, witness, attestation," from testis "a witness, one who attests" (see testament) + -monium, suffix signifying action, state, condition. Despite the common modern assertion, the sense of the word is unlikely to have anything to do with testicles (see testis).
Earliest attested sense in English is "the Ten Commandments" (late 14c.), from Vulgate use of Late Latin testimonium, along with Greek to martyrion (Septuagint), translations of Hebrew 'eduth "attestation, testimony" (of the Decalogue), from 'ed "witness."
双语例句
1. His testimony, however, was only one in a salvo of new attacks.
然而他的证词只是新一轮唇枪舌剑中的一股火力。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Yesterday's testimony began on a note of passionate but civilized disagreement.
昨天的作供是在激烈但文明地表达分歧的氛围中开始的。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The government decided that their testimony would be irrelevant to the case.
政府认定他们的证词与案件不相关。
来自柯林斯例句
4. When the father took the stand today, he contradicted his son's testimony.
那位父亲今天出庭作证时，驳斥了自己儿子的证词。
来自柯林斯例句
5. His testimony was an important element of the Prosecution case.
