evidence

Evidence comes from Middle English evidence, borrowed through Old French from Latin evidentia, meaning 'clearness' or, in Late Latin, 'proof.' That noun grew from evidens, 'clear, evident,' the same root behind the word 'evident.'

Latin evidentia originally meant simple clearness or visibility, and only in Late Latin did it narrow to mean proof — something that makes a matter clear.

It shares its root with 'evident,' both tracing back to Latin evidens, 'clear, obvious.'