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 herdschipes … 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.
