guide vs witness

guide

noun
  • Someone who guides, especially someone hired to show people around a place or an institution and offer information and explanation, or to lead them through dangerous terrain. 

  • A grooved director for a probe or knife in surgery. 

  • A sign that guides people; guidepost. 

  • A blade or channel for directing the flow of water to the buckets in a water wheel. 

  • A spirit believed to speak through a medium. 

  • A member of a group marching in formation who sets the pattern of movement or alignment for the rest. 

  • A document or book that offers information or instruction; guidebook. 

  • Any marking or object that catches the eye to provide quick reference. 

verb
  • to serve as a guide for someone or something; to lead or direct in a way; to conduct in a course or path. 

  • to act as a guide. 

  • to exert control or influence over someone or something. 

  • to supervise the education or training of someone. 

  • to steer or navigate, especially a ship or as a pilot. 

witness

noun
  • One who sees or has personal knowledge of something. 

  • Attestation of a fact or event; testimony. 

  • Someone called to give evidence in a court. 

  • One who is called upon to witness an event or action, such as a wedding or the signing of a document. 

  • Something that serves as evidence; a sign or token. 

verb
  • To take as evidence. 

  • To furnish proof of, to show. 

  • To present personal religious testimony; to preach at (someone) or on behalf of. 

  • To see the execution of (a legal instrument), and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity. 

  • To see or gain knowledge of through experience. 

How often have the words guide and witness occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )