proof

¹

[ proof ]

noun

1. evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true, or to produce belief in its truth.

   Synonyms: support, corroboration, demonstration, confirmation

2. anything serving as such evidence:

   What proof do you have?

3. the act of testing or making trial of anything; test; trial:

   to put a thing to the proof.

   Synonyms: assay, examination

4. the establishment of the truth of anything; demonstration.
5. Law. (in judicial proceedings) evidence having probative weight.
6. the effect of evidence in convincing the mind.
7. an arithmetical operation serving to check the correctness of a calculation.
8. Mathematics, Logic. a sequence of steps, statements, or demonstrations that leads to a valid conclusion.
9. a test to determine the quality, durability, etc., of materials used in manufacture.
10. Distilling.
    1. the arbitrary standard strength, as of an alcoholic liquor.
    2. strength with reference to this standard: “100 proof ” signifies a proof spirit, usually 50% alcohol.
11. Photography. a trial print from a negative.
12. Printing.
    1. a trial impression, as of composed type, taken to correct errors and make alterations.
    2. one of a number of early and superior impressions taken before the printing of the ordinary issue:

       to pull a proof.

13. (in printmaking) an impression taken from a plate or the like to show the quality or condition of work during the process of execution; a print pulled for examination while working on a plate, block, stone, etc.
14. Numismatics. one of a limited number of coins of a new issue struck from polished dies on a blank having a polished or matte surface.
15. the state of having been tested and approved.
16. proved strength, as of armor.
17. Scots Law. the trial of a case by a judge alone, without a jury.

adjective

1. able to withstand; successful in not being overcome:

   proof against temptation.

   Synonyms: steadfast, firm

2. impenetrable, impervious, or invulnerable:

   proof against outside temperature changes.

3. used for testing or proving; serving as proof.
4. of standard strength, as an alcoholic liquor.
5. of tested or proven strength or quality:

   proof armor.

6. noting pieces of pure gold and silver that the U.S. assay and mint offices use as standards.

verb (used with object)

1. to test; examine for flaws, errors, etc.; check against a standard or standards.
2. Printing. prove ( def 7 ).
3. to proofread.
4. to treat or coat for the purpose of rendering resistant to deterioration, damage, etc. (often used in combination):

   to proof a house against termites; to shrink-proof a shirt.

5. Cooking.
   1. to test the effectiveness of (yeast), as by combining with warm water so that a bubbling action occurs.
   2. to cause (especially bread dough) to rise due to the addition of baker's yeast or other leavening.

-proof

²

1. a combining form meaning “resistant, impervious to” that specified by the initial element:

   burglarproof; childproof; waterproof.

-proof

¹

adjective

1. secure against (damage by); (make) impervious to

   mothproof

   childproof

   waterproof

proof

²

/ pruːf /

noun

1. any evidence that establishes or helps to establish the truth, validity, quality, etc, of something
2. law the whole body of evidence upon which the verdict of a court is based
3. See induction, direct
   maths logic a sequence of steps or statements that establishes the truth of a proposition See also direct induction induction
4. the act of testing the truth of something (esp in the phrase put to the proof )
5. Scots law trial before a judge without a jury
6. printing a trial impression made from composed type, or a print-out (from a laser printer, etc) for the correction of errors
7. (in engraving, etc) a print made by an artist or under his supervision for his own satisfaction before he hands the plate over to a professional printer
8. photog a trial print from a negative
9. 1. the alcoholic strength of proof spirit
   2. the strength of a beverage or other alcoholic liquor as measured on a scale in which the strength of proof spirit is 100 degrees

adjective

1. usually postpositivefoll byagainst able to resist; impervious (to)

   the roof is proof against rain

2. having the alcoholic strength of proof spirit
3. of proved strength or impenetrability

   proof armour

verb

1. tr to take a proof from (type matter, a plate, etc)
2. to proofread (text) or inspect (a print, etc), as for approval
3. to render (something) proof, esp to waterproof

proof

/ pro̅o̅f /

1. A demonstration of the truth of a mathematical or logical statement, based on axioms and theorems derived from those axioms.

Other Words From

• re-proof verb (used with object)
• un·proofed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proof¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English prove, prooff, prof, proufe, alteration (by association with the vowel of prove ) of preove, proeve, prieve, pref, from Middle French preve, proeve, prueve, from Late Latin proba “a test,” akin to Latin probāre “to test and find good”; pree

Word History and Origins

Origin of proof¹

from proof (adj)

Origin of proof²

C13: from Old French preuve a test, from Late Latin proba, from Latin probāre to test

Synonym Study

See evidence.

Example Sentences

The fact that it didn’t is, to me, proof that what happened to Taylor—being gunned down in her own bed, by men who are still walking free—is not just going to just drift away as the media moves on to the next headline.

From Fortune

“Theoretically, those with poor immune systems may have a higher chance of reinfection, but we don’t have the proof yet,” To said.

From Fortune

She said she first notified the authority on June 19, the day she lost her job, but was asked to bring proof that she no longer worked a second job at a cleaning company and to provide updated paycheck stubs.

From ProPublica

As Hollywood eases back into production while coronavirus cases rise, TV networks’ and streaming services’ interest in so-called “corona-proof” programming has taken on a new twist.

From Digiday

The image below clearly indicates the benefits of social proof.

From Search Engine Watch

Park employees helped John quit tobacco by way of a butts-proof glass enclosure, a drastic change in diet, and regular exercise.

From The Daily Beast

Although often this is considered proof positive of guilt at trial, it is not an uncommon occurrence in false confessions.

From The Daily Beast

And if you want proof of what the country is really all about, just walk through the National September 11 Memorial Museum.

From The Daily Beast

They're also proof that no matter how fancy you are, you can't escape the urge to watch two girls make out.

From The Daily Beast

Without proof of this kind, the story of the lost legions is just a legend.

From The Daily Beast

Here convincing proof was given of Mme. Mesdag's accuracy, originality of interpretation, and her skill in the use of color.

From Project Gutenberg

Proof was given to him, of Elizabeth having admitted Ripperda to private political discussions in the Altheim apartments.

From Project Gutenberg

Wasn't the dead man stretched in the shadow convincing proof of their capacity for pure devilishness?

From Project Gutenberg

For my part, I scarcely know what to say; inasmuch as I do not care either to affirm or deny a thing of which I have no proof.

From Project Gutenberg

If I am proof against my own heart, in so dear a cause, shall I not be proof against the poor allurements of vanity and sense?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• argument
• clue
• confirmation
• criterion
• data
• demonstration
• information
• picture
• reason
• testament
• testimony
• validation
• verification