proof
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 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.
able to withstand; successful in not being overcome: proof against temptation.
impenetrable, impervious, or invulnerable: proof against outside temperature changes.
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.
Origin of proof
1synonym study For proof
word story For proof
Other words for proof
Other words from proof
- re-proof, verb (used with object)
- un·proofed, adjective
Other definitions for -proof (2 of 2)
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
How to use proof in a sentence
Palmer's desire to be loved is large, his need for proofs of appreciation considerable.
A 20-year-old cook was detained for threatening national security, but no proofs whatsoever were presented in court.
Venezuela’s Security Forces: A Killer Elite Beyond the Law | Marcel Ventura | April 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOctober 1: “Big moments in geometry class this week...we have completed our first proofs!”
Colleen Ritzer Is the Second U.S. Math Teacher Slain in Two Days | Michael Daly | October 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTShe said she "never doubted" her sister would come home as "we had all the proofs."
Blonde Child Reunited With Roma Family After Irish Police Blunder | Tom Sykes | October 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTYeah, sometimes I go to this little Italian place around the corner called Otto to read or to do proofs.
Still, Louis did not reply; but proofs of his contending soul convulsed the features his agitated hand tried to conceal.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterThese extracts from an agreement drawn up by the leading men in Peru in 1812 are proofs of remarkable energy.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickThe hardened devils of Anzacs, who had taken cover betwixt the shell-proofs built of piles of stores, roared with laughter.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonThis truth is as old as Homer, and its proofs are as capable of demonstration as a mathematical axiom.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousThe proofs you have given so far are but solemn pledges to outdo all your contemporaries.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
British Dictionary definitions for proof (1 of 2)
/ (pruːf) /
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 proposition: See 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
(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 impenetrability: proof armour
(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
Origin of proof
1British Dictionary definitions for -proof (2 of 2)
secure against (damage by); (make) impervious to: waterproof; mothproof; childproof
Origin of -proof
2Collins 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
[ prōōf ]
A demonstration of the truth of a mathematical or logical statement, based on axioms and theorems derived from those axioms.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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