proof

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 Adjective 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.4.2 Translations 1.5 Verb 1.6 External links

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

< Middle English proof < Old French prove < Late Latin proba (“‘a proof’”) < Latin probare (“‘to prove’”); see prove.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /pɹuːf/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

• Rhymes: -uːf

[edit] Noun

proof (plural proofs)

1. Any effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.
   • 1591, Edmund Spenser, Prosopopoia: or, Mother Hubbard's Tale, later also published in William Michael Rossetti, Humorous Poems,

     But the false Fox most kindly played his part,

     For whatsoever mother-wit or art

     Could work he put in proof. No practice sly,

     No counterpoint of cunning policy,

     No reach, no breach, that might him profit bring.

     But he the same did to his purpose wring.

   • c.1633, John Ford, Love's Sacrifice, Act 1, Scene 1,

     France I more praise and love; you are, my lord,

     Yourself for horsemanship much famed; and there

     You shall have many proofs to shew your skill.

   • 1831, Thomas Thomson, A System of Chemistry of Inorganic Bodies, Volume 2,

     A given quantity of the spirits was poured upon a quantity of gunpowder in a dish and set on fire. If at the end of the combustion, the gunpowder continued dry enough, it took fire and exploded; but if it had been wetted by the water in the spirits, the flame of the alcohol went out without setting the powder on fire. This was called the proof.

2. The degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments which induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.
   • c.1603, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice,

     I'll have some proof.

   • 1841, Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Over-Soul in Essays: First Series,

     It was a grand sentence of Emanuel Swedenborg, which would alone indicate the greatness of that man's perception, — "It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases; but to be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, this is the mark and character of intelligence."

   • 1990 October 16, Paul Simon, Proof in The Rhythm of the Saints, Warner Bros.,

     Faith, faith is an island in the setting sun

     But proof, yes

     Proof is the bottom line for everyone

3. The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness which resists impression, or doesn't yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.
4. Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
5. (printing) A proof sheet; a trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination.
6. (mathematics): A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Compare prove, transitive verb, 5.
7. (obsolete): Armour of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armour of proof.
8. (US) A measure of the alcohol content of liquor. Originally, in Britain, 100 proof was defined as 57.1% by volume (not used anymore). In the US, 100 proof means that the alcohol content is 50% of the total volume of the liquid, and thus, absolute alcohol would be 200 proof.

[edit] Synonyms

• testimony
• evidence
• reason
• argument
• trial
• demonstration

[edit] Derived terms

• artist's proof
• burden of proof
• proof reader
• proof of concept

[edit] Related terms

• prove
• probe

[edit] Translations

[edit] Adjective

proof (comparative more proof, superlative most proof)

1. Used in proving or testing; as, a proof load, or proof charge.
2. Firm or successful in resisting; as, proof against harm; waterproof; bombproof.

   I ... have found thee Proof against all temptation. -w:Milton.

   This was a good, stout proof article of faith. -w:Burke.

3. Being of a certain standard as to strength; -- said of alcoholic liquors.

[edit] Derived terms

• bulletproof
• mothproof
• sale-proof
• foolproof
• childproof
• waterproof
• prooftext
• shatter-proof

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to proof (third-person singular simple present proofs, present participle proofing, simple past and past participle proofed)

1. (transitive, intransitive, colloquial) To proofread.
2. (transitive) To make resistant, especially to water.
3. (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) (colloquial) To complete a mathematical proof.

[edit] External links

• proof in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• proof in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911