eyewitness
UK: ˈaɪˌwɪtnəs | US: ˈaɪˌwɪtnəs
n. a person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, and can provide a firsthand account of it
vt. to observe an event directly and be able to testify about it
The word "eyewitness" combines "eye," from Old English ēage (related to vision), and "witness," from Old English witnes (knowledge, testimony). The term emerged in Middle English to emphasize direct visual observation as the basis for testimony. The logic is straightforward: an "eye-witness" is someone who "witnesses with their eyes," distinguishing them from hearsay accounts.
The police interviewed an eyewitness to the robbery.
She was the sole eyewitness to the car accident.
Eyewitness accounts often vary due to stress or perspective.
The journalist acted as an eyewitness to the historic event.
Courts rely heavily on credible eyewitness testimony.