Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

proof       (prōōf)  Pronunciation Key  n.   The evidence or argument that compels the mind to accept an assertion as true. The validation of a proposition by application of specified rules, as of induction or deduction, to assumptions, axioms, and sequentially derived conclusions. A statement or argument used in such a validation. Convincing or persuasive demonstration: was asked for proof of his identity; an employment history that was proof of her dependability. The state of being convinced or persuaded by consideration of evidence. A trial sheet of printed material that is made to be checked and corrected. Also called proof sheet. A trial impression of a plate, stone, or block taken at any of various stages in engraving. A trial photographic print. Any of a limited number of newly minted coins or medals struck as specimens and for collectors from a new die on a polished planchet. Convincing or persuasive demonstration: was asked for proof of his identity; an employment history that was proof of her dependability. The state of being convinced or persuaded by consideration of evidence. A trial sheet of printed material that is made to be checked and corrected. Also called proof sheet. A trial impression of a plate, stone, or block taken at any of various stages in engraving. A trial photographic print. Any of a limited number of newly minted coins or medals struck as specimens and for collectors from a new die on a polished planchet. Determination of the quality of something by testing; trial: put one's beliefs to the proof. Law The result or effect of evidence; the establishment or denial of a fact by evidence. The alcoholic strength of a liquor, expressed by a number that is twice the percentage by volume of alcohol present. Printing A trial sheet of printed material that is made to be checked and corrected. Also called proof sheet. A trial impression of a plate, stone, or block taken at any of various stages in engraving. A trial photographic print. Any of a limited number of newly minted coins or medals struck as specimens and for collectors from a new die on a polished planchet. A trial photographic print. Any of a limited number of newly minted coins or medals struck as specimens and for collectors from a new die on a polished planchet. Archaic Proven impenetrability: "I was clothed in Armor of proof" (John Bunyan). adj.   Fully or successfully resistant; impervious. Often used in combination: waterproof watches; a fireproof cellar door. Of standard alcoholic strength. Used in proving or making corrections. v.   proofed, proof·ing, proofs v.   tr. Printing To make a trial impression of (printed or engraved matter). To proofread (copy). To activate (dormant dry yeast) by adding water. To work (dough) into proper lightness. To activate (dormant dry yeast) by adding water. To work (dough) into proper lightness. To treat so as to make resistant: proof a fabric against shrinkage. v.   intr. Printing To proofread. To become properly light for cooking: The batter proofed overnight. [Middle English prove, preve, from Anglo-Norman prove and from Old French prueve, both from Late Latin proba, from Latin probāre, to prove; see prove.] proof'er n.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
proof 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

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

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

proof       (prf)  Pronunciation Key  A demonstration of the truth of a mathematical or logical statement, based on axioms and theorems derived from those axioms.

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: proof
Function: noun
Etymology: alteration of Middle English preove, from Old French preuve, from Late Latin proba, from Latin probare to prove
1 : the effect of evidence sufficient to persuade a reasonable person that a particular fact exists —see also EVIDENCE
2 : the establishment or persuasion by evidence that a particular fact exists —see also BURDEN OF PROOF
3 : something (as evidence) that proves or tends to prove the existence of a particular fact —see also CLEAR AND CONVINCING, PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE, REASONABLE DOUBT, STANDARD OF PROOF —compare ALLEGATION, ARGUMENT
4 : PROBATE 1a

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

proof
1. A finite sequence of well-formed formulas, F1, F2, ... Fn, where each Fi either is an axiom, or follows by some rule of inference from some of the previous F's, and Fn is the statement being proved.
See also proof theory.
2. A left-associative natural language parser by Craig R. Latta . Ported to Decstation 3100, Sun-4.
(ftp://scam.berkeley.edu/pub/src/local/proof/).
E-mail: . Mailing list: proof-requestf@xcf.berkeley.edu (Subject: add me).
(1994-11-29)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Proof

Proof\, n. [OF. prove, proeve, F. preuve, fr. L. proba, fr. probare to prove. See Prove.]

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.

Note: 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.

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.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Proof

Proof\, a. 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.

Proof charge (Firearms), a charge of powder and ball, greater than the service charge, fired in an arm, as a gun or cannon, to test its strength.

Proof impression. See under Impression.

Proof load (Engin.), the greatest load than can be applied to a piece, as a beam, column, etc., without straining the piece beyond the elastic limit.

Proof sheet. See Proof, n., 5.

Proof spirit (Chem.), a strong distilled liquor, or mixture of alcohol and water, containing not less than a standard amount of alcohol. In the United States "proof spirit is defined by law to be that mixture of alcohol and water which contains one half of its volume of alcohol, the alcohol when at a temperature of 60[deg] Fahrenheit being of specific gravity 0.7939 referred to water at its maximum density as unity. Proof spirit has at 60[deg] Fahrenheit a specific gravity of 0.93353, 100 parts by volume of the same consisting of 50 parts of absolute alcohol and 53.71 parts of water," the apparent excess of water being due to contraction of the liquids on mixture. In England proof spirit is defined by Act 58, George III., to be such as shall at a temperature of 51[deg] Fahrenheit weigh exactly the 12/13 part of an equal measure of distilled water. This contains 49.3 per cent by weight, or 57.09 by volume, of alcohol. Stronger spirits, as those of about 60, 70, and 80 per cent of alcohol, are sometimes called second, third, and fourth proof spirits respectively.

Proof staff, a straight-edge used by millers to test the flatness of a stone.

Proof stick (Sugar Manuf.), a rod in the side of a vacuum pan, for testing the consistency of the sirup.

Proof text, a passage of Scripture used to prove a doctrine.