What does "evidence" mean?

Additional senses

1. 2.One who bears witness. [R.] "Infamous and perjured evidences." Sir W. Scott.
2. 3.(Law) That which is legally submitted to competent tribunal, as a means of ascertaining the truth of any alleged matter of fact under investigation before it; means of making proof; -- the latter, strictly speaking, not being synonymous with evidence, but rather the effect of it. Greenleaf. Circumstantial evidence, Conclusive evidence, etc. See under Circumstantial, Conclusive, etc. -- Crown's, King's, or Queen's evidence, evidence for the crown. [Eng.] -- State's evidence, evidence for the government or the people. [U. S. ] -- To turn King's, Queen's or State's evidence, to confess a crime and give evidence against one's accomplices. See Tesimony.
3. 4.To render evident or clear; to prove; to evince; as, to evidence a fact, or the guilt of an offender. Milton.