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Definition of prove - 4 dictionary results

prove

  [proov] verb, proved, proved or prov⋅en, prov⋅ing.
Use prove in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to establish the truth or genuineness of, as by evidence or argument: to prove one's claim.
2. Law. to establish the authenticity or validity of (a will); probate.
3. to give demonstration of by action.
4. to subject to a test, experiment, comparison, analysis, or the like, to determine quality, amount, acceptability, characteristics, etc.: to prove ore.
5. to show (oneself) to have the character or ability expected of one, esp. through one's actions.
6. Mathematics. to verify the correctness or validity of by mathematical demonstration or arithmetical proof.
7. Also, proof. Printing. to take a trial impression of (type, a cut, etc.).
8. to cause (dough) to rise to the necessary lightness.
9. Archaic. to experience.
–verb (used without object)
10. to turn out: The experiment proved to be successful.
11. to be found by trial or experience to be: His story proved false.
12. (of dough) to rise to a specified lightness: Leave covered until it has proved.
Origin:
1125–75; ME proven < OF prover < L probāre to try, test, prove, approve, deriv. of probus good. See probity

Related forms:
prov⋅a⋅ble, adjective
prov⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, prov⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
prov⋅a⋅bly, adverb
prov⋅en⋅ly, adverb
prover, noun

Synonyms:
1. demonstrate, confirm, substantiate, verify.

Antonyms:
1. disprove.

Usage note:
Either proved or proven is standard as the past participle of prove: Events have proved (or proven) him wrong. As a modifier, proven is by far the more common: a proven fact.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To prove
prove   (prōōv)   
v.   proved, proved or prov·en (prōō'vən), prov·ing, proves

v.   tr.

  1. To establish the truth or validity of by presentation of argument or evidence.

  2. Law To establish the authenticity of (a will).

  3. To determine the quality of by testing; try out.

  4. Mathematics

    1. To demonstrate the validity of (a hypothesis or proposition).

    2. To verify (the result of a calculation).

  5. Printing To make a sample impression of (type).

  6. Archaic To find out or learn (something) through experience.

v.   intr.
To be shown to be such; turn out: a theory that proved impractical in practice.
Phrasal Verb(s):
prove outTo turn out well; succeed.

[Middle English proven, from Old French prover, from Latin probāre, to test, from probus, good; see per1 in Indo-European roots.]
prov'a·bil'i·ty, prov'a·ble·ness n., prov'a·ble adj., prov'a·bly adv., prov'en·ly adv., prov'er n.
Usage Note: Prove has two past participles: proved and proven. Proved is the older form. Proven is a variant. The Middle English spellings of prove included preven, a form that died out in England but survived in Scotland, and the past participle proven, a form that probably rose by analogy with verbs like weave, woven and cleave, cloven. Proven was originally used in Scottish legal contexts, such as The jury ruled that the charges were not proven. In the 20th century, proven has made inroads into the territory once dominated by proved, so that now the two forms compete on equal footing as participles. However, when used as an adjective before a noun, proven is now the more common word: a proven talent.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: prove
Pronunciation: 'prüv
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: proved; proved or prov·en /'prü-v&n/; prov·ing
1 : to test the truth, validity, or genuineness of <prove a will at probate>
2 a : to establish the existence, truth, or validity of proved in court> b : to provide sufficient proof of or that <proved the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt> —prov·able /'prü-v&-b&l/ adjective —prov·able·ness noun —prov·ably /'prü-v&-blE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

prove

In addition to the idiom beginning with prove, also see exception proves the rule.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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