bystander
UK: ˈbaɪˌstændə | US: ˈbaɪˌstændər
n. a person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part in it; an observer.
The word "bystander" originated in the mid-16th century, combining "by" (from Old English "bī," meaning "near" or "alongside") and "stand" (from Old English "standan," meaning "to be upright"). The suffix "-er" denotes a person performing the action. Literally, a bystander is someone who "stands by" an event without participating, reflecting the passive role of an observer. The term gained prominence in legal and social contexts to describe witnesses or uninvolved parties.
The bystander recorded the accident on their phone.
Police asked the bystanders to step back from the scene.
She was merely a bystander during the argument.
Bystanders often feel helpless in emergency situations.
The protest was peaceful, with many bystanders watching silently.