proof Hear it!

proof definition

proof (pro̵̅o̅f)

noun

  1. the act or process of proving; a testing or trying of something
  2. anything serving or tending to establish the truth of something, or to convince one of its truth; conclusive evidence
  3. the establishment of the truth of something to work on the proof of a theory
  4. a test or trial of the truth, worth, quality, etc. of something the proof of the pudding is in the eating
  5. the quality or condition of having been tested or proved
  6. Obsolete tested or proved strength, as of armor
    1. the relative strength of an alcoholic liquor with reference to the arbitrary standard for proof spirit
    2. this standard, taken as 100 proof
  8. Engraving a trial impression taken from a plate, block, or stone
  9. Law all the facts, admissions, and conclusions drawn from evidence which together operate to determine a verdict or judgment
  10. Math. a process for checking the correctness of a computation, as, in a subtraction problem, by adding the difference to the subtrahend to get the minuend
  11. Numismatics any of a limited number of coins of a new issue, struck with special care
  12. Photog. a trial print of a negative
  13. Printing an impression of composed type taken for checking errors and making changes

Etymology: ME profe < OFr prueve < LL proba < L probare: see probe

adjective

  1. of tested and proved strength
  2. impervious or invulnerable to; able to resist, withstand, etc.: with against proof against criticism
  3. used in proving or testing
  4. of standard strength: said of alcoholic liquors

transitive verb

  1. to make a proof of
  2. to make resistant or impervious to something
  3. proofread

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

law proof definition - legal

proof Synonyms

proof

n.

  1. Evidence

    demonstration, verification, evidence, testimony, case, exhibit, reasons, documentation, credentials, data, warrant, confirmation, substantiation, attestation, corroboration, affidavit, facts, witness, deposition, trace, record, criterion, grounds; see also confirmation 1.

  2. Process of proving

    test, attempt, assay; see trial 2.

  3. A printed proof sheet

    trial proof, pull, slip, revise, trial impression, galley proof, page proof, stereo proof, foundry proof.

proof, as compared here, applies to facts, documents, etc. that are so certain or convincing as to demonstrate the validity of a conclusion beyond reasonable doubt; evidence applies to something presented before a court, as a witness's statement, an object, etc., that bears on or establishes a point in question; testimony applies to verbal evidence given by a witness under oath; exhibit applies to a document or object produced as evidence in a court


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

proof Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • pudding: The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

Adjective modifier

  • conclusive: They also played a new version of ' Dark Clouds ' , which seems conclusive proof that they accept their past.

Modifies a noun

  • membrane: The easy to apply 2 coat damp proof membrane, ARDEX DPM, was applied to the prepared concrete base.

Noun used with modifier

  • bullet: The inner two were made of stout trees, lined with flax making them almost bullet proof.
proof usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

proof quotes

It seems to methat there are statements about the world andourlivesthat havenoneedofformalproof procedures.

-Boyd,William Andrew Murray

It is the final proof of God's omnipotence that he need not exist in order to save us.

-DeVries, Peter

I think it is something of the same sort of security we should seek in our relationship with God. The most flawless proof of the existence of God isno substitute for it; and if we have that relationship, the most convincing disproof is turned aimlessly aside.If I may say it with reverence, the soul and God laugh together over so odd a conclusion.

-Eddington, SirArthur Stanley

proof quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"proof." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/proof>

APA Style

proof. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/proof

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment