earwitness
Heard it happen
An earwitness is someone who heard an event rather than saw it—the auditory counterpart to an eyewitness.
The term appears in legal and journalistic contexts when testimony depends on what was heard: She was an earwitness to the argument next door.
Less common than eyewitness, but useful when sound is the primary evidence.
Perceiving sound waves
- listeningAttending to sound
- soundsAudible vibrations
- overhearAccidentally catch speech
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
audible · voice · noise · acoustic · recognition · identify · distinguish · recall
Sworn statement as evidence
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
- swornBound by formal promise
testify · corroborate · affidavit · admissible · credibility · perjury · defendant · plaintiff
Record of dealings
- statementExpressed claim or fact
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- descriptionAccount of characteristics
- reportFormal written findings
corroboration · testimony · attestation · identification · reliability · accuracy · recall · narrative
A distinct event
- gunshotFirearm's explosive report
- screamLoud sharp cry
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
- break-inUnlawful entry to premises
assault · commotion · disturbance · argument · crash · explosion · struggle · perpetrator
hearing
Perceiving sound waves
eavesdrop · audible · voice · noise · acoustic · recognition · identify · distinguish · recall · perception
testimony
Sworn statement as evidence
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
- subpoenaWrit requiring testimony
sworn · testify · corroborate · affidavit · admissible · credibility · perjury · defendant · plaintiff · prosecution
account
Record of dealings
- statementExpressed claim or fact
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- descriptionAccount of characteristics
report · corroboration · testimony · attestation · identification · reliability · accuracy · recall · narrative · declaration
incident
A distinct event
- gunshotFirearm's explosive report
- screamLoud sharp cry
- altercationHeated verbal dispute
break-in · assault · commotion · disturbance · argument · crash · explosion · struggle · perpetrator · suspect
- evidentialshearsay, inferential, firsthand, secondhand, direct evidence