hearsay
gb/hˈɪɹsˌeɪ/ us/hˈɪɹsˌeɪ/
C1
Inglês
Acepções
0 acepção
Substantivo
C1
abstract
1
Secondhand, unverified information
Information that you have only heard from other people and cannot personally prove.
Padrão de uso:
[something] is hearsay; based on hearsay; dismiss [something] as hearsay
Erro comum:
Hearsay is usually uncountable: say “some hearsay” or “a rumor,” not usually “a hearsay.”
Sinônimos
rumor (More common and often refers to public talk that may not be true.)
|
gossip (More informal and often about other people’s private lives.)
|
secondhand information (Neutral phrase that emphasizes the information is not firsthand.)
Antônimos
firsthand knowledge (Knowledge gained directly, not through what others said.)
|
direct evidence (Evidence based on direct observation or proof rather than reports from others.)
Colocações
mere hearsay
|pure hearsay
|just hearsay
|unsubstantiated hearsay
|based on hearsay
|rely on hearsay
|dismiss something as hearsay
|hearsay and speculation
|hearsay and rumor
Temas
communication
|knowledge
|reliability
Exemplos
- I can’t make a decision based on hearsay; I need the facts in writing.
- The accusation was dismissed as hearsay because no one could identify the original source.
- At this point, most of what we know is hearsay and speculation.
Exemplos para estudantes
- That story is just hearsay.
- The report was based on hearsay, not proof.
Substantivo
legal
C2
abstract
2
Out-of-court legal statement
In court, hearsay is usually a statement someone repeats from another person instead of giving direct evidence.
Padrão de uso:
[statement/testimony] is hearsay; object to [evidence] as hearsay; inadmissible hearsay
Erro comum:
In law, hearsay does not simply mean “false.” Some hearsay may be true and may be allowed under an exception.
Sinônimos
secondhand evidence (Less technical and broader than the strict legal meaning.)
|
out-of-court statement (Technical component of hearsay, though not every out-of-court statement is legally hearsay.)
Antônimos
nonhearsay (A legal term for evidence that is not classified as hearsay.)
|
firsthand testimony (Testimony based on what the witness directly saw, heard, or experienced.)
Colocações
hearsay evidence
|hearsay testimony
|hearsay statement
|inadmissible hearsay
|admissible hearsay
|hearsay objection
|hearsay exception
|hearsay rule
|double hearsay
Temas
law
|courts
|evidence
Exemplos
- The defense objected that the witness was repeating inadmissible hearsay.
- The judge ruled that the neighbor’s statement was hearsay and could not be presented to the jury.
- A business record may sometimes be admitted even if it contains hearsay.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The lawyer said the statement was hearsay.
- The judge did not allow the hearsay evidence.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
hearsay
AFI
GB/hˈɪɹsˌeɪ/
US/hˈɪɹsˌeɪ/
Sílabas e tonicidade
hearsay (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (hearsay)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: hearsay
- Plural: hearsay
Expressões
double hearsay
1/dˈʌbəl hˈɪɹsˌeɪ/
fixed phrase
legal
Hearsay inside hearsay
A repeated statement in court where one person reports what another person said someone else said.
Exemplos
- The report quoted a bystander who was quoting someone else, so the lawyer called it double hearsay.
- The judge asked whether each layer of the double hearsay fit an exception.
hearsay exception
1/hˈɪɹsˌeɪ ɪksˈɛpʃən/
fixed phrase
legal
Exception allowing hearsay evidence
A special legal reason why a court may allow hearsay evidence.
Exemplos
- The prosecution relied on a hearsay exception for business records.
- The judge considered whether the emergency call fell under a hearsay exception.
hearsay rule
1/hˈɪɹsˌeɪ ɹˈul/
fixed phrase
legal
Rule excluding hearsay evidence
A court rule that often stops lawyers from using repeated secondhand statements as evidence.
Exemplos
- The attorney argued that the interview transcript was barred by the hearsay rule.
- Under the hearsay rule, the jury could not hear that statement unless an exception applied.