The Collaborative International Dictionary
Proof \Proof\, n. [OF. prove, proeve, F. preuve, fr. L. proba, fr. probare to prove. See Prove.]
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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. -
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.Note: Properly speaking, proof is the effect or result of evidence, evidence is the medium of proof. Cf. Demonstration, 1.
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.
Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
(Print.) A trial impression, as from type, taken for correction or examination; -- called also proof sheet.
(Math.) A process for testing the accuracy of an operation performed. Cf. Prove, v. t., 5.
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Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed impenetrable; properly, armor of proof. [Obs.]
--Shak.Artist's proof, a very early proof impression of an engraving, or the like; -- often distinguished by the artist's signature.
Proof reader, one who reads, and marks correction in, proofs. See def. 5, above.
Syn: Testimony; evidence; reason; argument; trial; demonstration. See Testimony.
Usage examples of "proof sheet".
KC's large, gray eyes sparkled playfully, then flashed defiantly, then shone with tender concern as Peter ran his magnifier down the proof sheet from their photo session two days before.
And their altitude varied so little from moment to moment that San Lorenzo might have been protected by a tornado-proof sheet of glass.
This roll had been in the Nikon for at least a year, and when I finally sat down with the proof sheet and a glass of Glenfiddich, I was ready to see anything.