hearsay

noun

Etymology: From Middle English hyere-zigginge (1340), here sey (ca. 1438), from the phrase heren seien (“to hear [people] say”). Compare equally old Middle High German hœrsagen (14th c.), whence modern Hörensagen.

1. Information that was heard by one person about another that cannot be adequately substantiated.

   “based on hearsay”

   “The story turned out to be nothing but hearsay.”

2. Evidence based on the reports of others, which is normally inadmissible because it was not made under oath, rather than on personal knowledge.

   “dismiss hearsay”

   “The judge ruled the testimony as mere hearsay.”

3. An out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted (or the in-court testimony which recites such a statement), which is normally inadmissible (because it is not subject to cross-examination) unless it falls under one of a number of exceptions.