proof

[ proof ]

/ pruf /

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See synonyms for: proof / proofer / proofest on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

anything serving as such evidence: What proof do you have?

the act of testing or making trial of anything; test; trial: to put a thing to the proof.

the establishment of the truth of anything; demonstration.

Law. (in judicial proceedings) evidence having probative weight.

the effect of evidence in convincing the mind.

an arithmetical operation serving to check the correctness of a calculation.

Mathematics, Logic. a sequence of steps, statements, or demonstrations that leads to a valid conclusion.

a test to determine the quality, durability, etc., of materials used in manufacture.

Distilling.

the arbitrary standard strength, as of an alcoholic liquor.
strength with reference to this standard: “100 proof” signifies a proof spirit, usually 50% alcohol.

Photography. a trial print from a negative.

Printing.

a trial impression, as of composed type, taken to correct errors and make alterations.
one of a number of early and superior impressions taken before the printing of the ordinary issue: to pull a proof.

(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.

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.

the state of having been tested and approved.

proved strength, as of armor.

Scots Law. the trial of a case by a judge alone, without a jury.

adjective

able to withstand; successful in not being overcome: proof against temptation.

impenetrable, impervious, or invulnerable: proof against outside temperature changes.

used for testing or proving; serving as proof.

of standard strength, as an alcoholic liquor.

of tested or proven strength or quality: proof armor.

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

verb (used with object)

to test; examine for flaws, errors, etc.; check against a standard or standards.

Printing. prove (def. 7).

to proofread.

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.

Cooking.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR proof

1 confirmation, demonstration, corroboration, support.

3 examination, assay.

18 firm, steadfast.

See synonyms for proof on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of proof

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”; cf. pree

synonym study for proof

1. See evidence.

historical usage of proof

Proof entered English in the 12th century as Middle English prove, prooff, prof, proufe, with the meaning “evidence sufficient to establish a thing as true.” It finds its roots in Late Latin proba, meaning "a test." An example of proof meaning “test” is in the English proverb “All the proof of a pudding is in the eating,” first recorded in English in 1605. The proverb is popularly but wrongly attributed to Miguel Cervantes. In the second part of Cervantes’ Don Quixote (published in 1615), Cervantes wrote “Por la muestra se conoce el paño,” literally, “From the sample you know the cloth,” which was translated into English as “The proof of a pudding is in the eating” by Peter Anthony Motteux, a French-born English playwright and translator, in his English translation (third edition 1712). We know this today as the saying “The proof is in the pudding.”

OTHER WORDS FROM proof

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

Other definitions for proof (2 of 2)

-proof

a combining form meaning “resistant, impervious to” that specified by the initial element: burglarproof; childproof; waterproof.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WORDS THAT USE -PROOF

What does -proof mean?

The combining form –proof is used like a suffix meaning “resistant, impervious to.” Impervious means “impenetrable.” It is occasionally used in a variety of everyday and technical terms.

The form –proof ultimately comes from Latin proba, meaning “test.”

Examples of -proof

One example of a term that uses the form –proof is soundproof, “impervious to sound.”

The first part of the word, sound–, means “sound” or “noise.” As we have seen, –proof means “resistant.” Soundproof literally means “resistant to sound.”

What are some words that use the combining form –proof?

What are some other forms that –proof may be commonly confused with?

-prone

Break it down!

Given the meaning of –proof, what does childproof mean?

How to use proof in a sentence

Park employees helped John quit tobacco by way of a butts-proof glass enclosure, a drastic change in diet, and regular exercise.
Zebra Finches, Dolphins, Elephants, and More Animals Under the Influence|Bill Schulz|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Although often this is considered proof positive of guilt at trial, it is not an uncommon occurrence in false confessions.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And if you want proof of what the country is really all about, just walk through the National September 11 Memorial Museum.
Dick Cheney vs. ‘Unbroken’|Mike Barnicle|December 15, 2014|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.
High-End Pervs Film Benedict Cumberbatch and Reese Witherspoon Sucking Face|Amy Zimmerman|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Without proof of this kind, the story of the lost legions is just a legend.
The Chinese Town Descended From Romans?|Nina Strochlic|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here convincing proof was given of Mme. Mesdag's accuracy, originality of interpretation, and her skill in the use of color.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
Proof was given to him, of Elizabeth having admitted Ripperda to private political discussions in the Altheim apartments.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
Wasn't the dead man stretched in the shadow convincing proof of their capacity for pure devilishness?
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
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.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
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?
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for proof (1 of 2)

proof

/ (pruːf) /

noun

any evidence that establishes or helps to establish the truth, validity, quality, etc, of something

law the whole body of evidence upon which the verdict of a court is based

maths logic a sequence of steps or statements that establishes the truth of a propositionSee also direct (def. 17), induction (def. 4), induction (def. 8)

the act of testing the truth of something (esp in the phrase put to the proof)

Scots law trial before a judge without a jury

printing a trial impression made from composed type, or a print-out (from a laser printer, etc) for the correction of errors

(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

photog a trial print from a negative

the alcoholic strength of proof spirit
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

(usually postpositive foll by against) able to resist; impervious (to)the roof is proof against rain

having the alcoholic strength of proof spirit

of proved strength or impenetrabilityproof armour

verb

(tr) to take a proof from (type matter, a plate, etc)

to proofread (text) or inspect (a print, etc), as for approval

to render (something) proof, esp to waterproof

Word Origin for proof

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

British Dictionary definitions for proof (2 of 2)

-proof

adjective, combining form

secure against (damage by); (make) impervious towaterproof; mothproof; childproof

Word Origin for -proof

from proof (adj)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for proof

proof

[ prōōf ]

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

proof

OTHER WORDS FOR proof

Origin of proof

synonym study for proof

historical usage of proof

OTHER WORDS FROM proof

Other definitions for proof (2 of 2)

WORDS THAT USE -PROOF

What does -proof mean?

Examples of -proof

Break it down!

Words related to proof

How to use proof in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for proof (1 of 2)

Word Origin for proof

British Dictionary definitions for proof (2 of 2)

Word Origin for -proof

Scientific definitions for proof