witness-stand
Definition
Noun: The witness stand is the place in a courtroom where a witness sits or stands to give testimony under oath during a trial or hearing.
Usage Examples
- (The location in court for giving testimony.)
- (She left the designated area for witnesses.)
Advanced Usage
- "to take the witness-stand": to assume the position of giving testimony in court.
- The defendant decided to take the witness-stand in his own defense. (He chose to testify personally.)
- "to be on the witness-stand": to be currently giving testimony.
- The expert was on the witness-stand for over two hours. (The expert testified for a long duration.)
Variants and Related Words
- Witness-box (n): a similar term used primarily in British English, referring to the same enclosed area in a courtroom.
- The judge instructed the witness to enter the witness-box. (British equivalent of witness-stand.)
Synonyms
- Testimony area: the specific location in court where witnesses testify.
- Stand: a shortened form often used in legal contexts.
- The witness was called to the stand. (A colloquial term for witness-stand.)
Related Idioms
- "to be put on the stand": to be required to testify in court.
- The key witness was put on the stand to clarify the events. (Forced to give testimony.)