proof Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
    cogent evidence.
    • if you have any proof for what you say, now is the time to produce it
  2. noun a formal series of statements showing that if one thing is true something else necessarily follows from it
  3. noun a measure of alcoholic strength expressed as an integer twice the percentage of alcohol present (by volume)
  4. noun (printing) an impression made to check for errors
    trial impression; test copy.
  5. noun a trial photographic print from a negative
  6. noun the act of validating; finding or testing the truth of something
    validation; substantiation.
  7. verb make or take a proof of, such as a photographic negative, an etching, or typeset
  8. verb knead to reach proper lightness
    • proof dough
  9. verb read for errors
    proofread.
    • I should proofread my manuscripts
  10. verb activate by mixing with water and sometimes sugar or milk
    • proof yeast
  11. verb make resistant (to harm)
    • proof the materials against shrinking in the dryer
  12. adjective satellite (used in combination or as a suffix) able to withstand
    • temptation-proof
    • childproof locks

WordNet

Proof noun
Etymology
OF. prove, proeve, F. preuve, fr. L. proba, fr. probare to prove. See Prove.
Definitions
  1. Any effort, process, or operation designed to establish or discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a trial.
    For whatsoever mother wit or art Could work, he put in proof. Spenser.
    You shall have many proofs to show your skill. Ford.
    Formerly, a very rude mode of ascertaining the strength of spirits was practiced, called the proof. Ure.
  2. That degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or arguments that induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.
    I'll have some proof. Shak.
    It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able to confirm whatever he pleases. Emerson.
    ✍ Properly speaking, proof is the effect or result of evidence, evidence is the medium of proof. Cf. Demonstration, 1.
  3. The quality or state of having been proved or tried; firmness or hardness that resists impression, or does not yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.
  4. Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
  5. (Print.) A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; -- called also proof sheet.
  6. (Math.) A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Cf. Prove, v. t., 5.
  7. Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof. Obs. Shak. Syn. -- Testimony; evidence; reason; argument; trial; demonstration. See Testimony.
Proof adjective
Definitions
  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. Milton.
    This was a good, stout proof article of faith. Burke.
  3. Being of a certain standard as to strength; -- said of alcoholic liquors. in the United States, "proof" is a measure of alcohol concentration expressed as percent of the concentration of "proof spirit" defined below, i.e. a beverage of 100 proof is 50% alcohol by volume.

Webster 1913