Definition of Hostile witness

1. Noun. A witness whose relationship to the opposing party is such that his or her testimony may be prejudiced against the opposing party. "A hostile witness can be asked leading questions and cross-examined"

Exact synonyms: Adverse Witness
Generic synonyms: Witness

Definition of Hostile witness

1. Noun. (legal) In a legal trial, a person called to testify as a witness by a party to whom that witness is opposed. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Hostile Witness

hostess trolley
hostess trolleys
hostess trollies
hostesse
hostessed
hostesses
hostessing
hostessship
hostie
hosties
hostile
hostile expedition
hostile fire
hostile takeover
hostile takeovers
hostile witness (current term)
hostile witnesses
hostilely
hostiles
hostilities
hostility
hostilize
hostilized
hostilizing
hosting
hostings
hostis humani generis
hostler
hostlers
hostless

Literary usage of Hostile witness

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. An Illustrated Treatise on the Law of Evidence by Thomas Welburn Hughes (1905)
"The hostile witness.—The rules applicable to the mode of examination of a hostile witness ... In the first place, a hostile witness should not be called at ..."

2. Handbook of the Law of Evidence by John Jay McKelvey (1907)
"SAME—IN CASE OF hostile witness. 250. Where it is necessary to call a witness known to be hostile to the party calling him, the rule forbidding leading ..."

3. Forensic Oratory: A Manual for Advocates by William Callyhan Robinson (1893)
"Intelligible Evidence • how Rendered Unintelligible: the hostile witness: his Treatment. Incompleteness or obscurity in the testimony of a hostile witness ..."

4. The American and English Encyclopedia of Law by John Houston Merrill, Charles Frederic Williams, Thomas Johnson Michie, David Shephard Garland (1891)
"... Evidence of hostile witness.—Surprise at the testimony of witnesses called by the adverse party will not afford a good ground for a new trial, ..."

5. A Treatise on the Law of Criminal Evidence: Including the Rules Regulating by Harry Clay Underhill (1898)
"The credibility of the hostile witness is still for the jury.11 § 236. ... The fact an unexpectedly hostile witness may So. 259. ..."

6. South Eastern Reporter by West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, West Publishing Company, South Carolina Supreme Court (1922)
"... "the witness showing great reluctance to testify," in permitting the commonwealth to cross-examine her as a hostile witness and ask leading questions; ..."

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